slowly away in rear, ridden 2f out, nearest finish
keen, raced wide in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead final strides
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, headway on outer to press leaders 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, just held
in touch, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders
keen tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
set steady pace, quickened over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, caught close home
keen towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never a factor
in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
Mark Johnston has a strong hand with last year’s runner-up Watersmeet arriving in top form and Soldier In Action capable at this level. The French challenger Funny Kid was beaten only a neck by Watersmeet last time and can figure again but Lord George and Curbyourenthusiasm have more to find on recent running. Red Verdon won a Listed race at Kempton before scoring again over 1m4f here and looks sure to go close if staying the extra distance but both Haines and Rock On Dandy look up against it. Ralph Beckett sent out Moonrise Landing to win this in 2016 on her return from a lay-off so there are no worries regarding the match-fitness of MOUNTAIN BELL. A winner over the extended 2m at Newcastle in December, she has scope for further progress and gets the vote.
Curbyourenthusiasm (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Last to break, held up in last, headway on outside 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Dal Harraild (9-9) at Chelmsford City 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Funny Kid (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Close up, headway over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Watersmeet (9-3) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Haines 7-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, went 3rd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Dubawi Fifty (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Lord George (IRE) Evensfav (9-7) Shade keen, tracked leaders, 2nd going well over 4f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 6 1/2l behind Watersmeet (9-7) at Kempton 2m stks (2) pol in Feb.
Red Verdon (USA) 1-3fav (9-8) Tracked (clear) leader, closer 8f out, led travelling well over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (2) pol in Feb beating Great Hall (9-5) by 3l, 4 ran.
Soldier In Action (FR) 7-2 (9-6) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, lost 2nd and no extra, 4th of 5, 13 1/4l behind Dal Harraild (9-9) at Chelmsford City 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Watersmeet 11-8 (9-7) Made all, quickened tempo inside final 2f, clear over 1f out, rider eased down towards finish, always in command, won at Kempton 2m stks (2) pol in Feb beating Curbyourenthusiasm (9-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Rock On Dandy (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Mid-division, good headway to track leader after 4f, 2nd halfway, almost on terms 2f out, soon ridden, dropped to 5th under 1f out, no extra, 6th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Sharjah (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Mountain Bell 2-1fav (8-12) Keen early settled in touch in rear, headway in centre over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec beating Cape Cova (9-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
