led, joined 4 out, headed next, ridden and every chance next, stayed on to lead close home
pressed winner, led 3 out, ridden next, joined when hit last, headed close home
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Though RUSSIAN VIRTUE is also engaged to run at Southwell today, he made a winning reappearance over track and trip last month. He’s 4lb higher but the runner-up has subsequently won so the form looks solid enough. Applaus finished third here last month and may figure again while City Derby drops down in trip having placed the last twice. The Irish mare Poppy Rose finished third at Navan recently and is preferred to stablemate Joker Du Chenet.
Russian Virtue 28-1 (11-0) Midfield, raced wide approaching 4th, steady headway from before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, led between final two flights, ridden when faced challenge after final flight, out all at finish, just prevailed, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Grain D'oudairies (11-0) by nk, 11 ran.
Jipekaa Machin (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden after 2 out, gradually weakened, not fluent last, 6th of 12, 12l behind Zwicky (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Moonlight Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led, headed 2 out and soon tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Didtheyleaveuoutto (12-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
City Derby (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, went close 2nd before 2 out, ridden and outpaced by winner well before last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Uncle Bert (11-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Applaus (GER) 7-2 (11-9) Led, headed 2nd, pushed along and lost position after 3 out, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off approaching last, last of 5, dist behind Serious Ego (10-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Diamand De Vindecy (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Dunnet Head (11-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Poppy Rose (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 2 out, 4th last, ran on to 3rd close home, never nearer, 3rd of 22, 5 1/4l behind St Denis's Well (10-9) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Joker Du Chenet (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division out wide, smooth headway to track leader home turn, soon ridden and outpaced, no extra run-in, 5th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Secret Secret (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
