slowly into stride, keen, mid-division, smooth headway from 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on
held up towards rear, wide into straight 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
went left start, always towards rear
took keen hold, in touch, ridden 3f out, driven and weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, driven inside final furlong, just held on to 2nd
led 1f, chased leader after, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
fly-jumped start, slowly into stride, in rear, wide and headway from over 1f out, driven and ran on towards finish
always towards rear
A competitive finale in which VANADIUM can finally return to winning ways with Nativity and Granakey put forward as the most likely dangers. Amy Scott's mount hasn't scored since the spring of 2008 but has shaped as though further success may not be far away recently, most notably when a staying-on fourth here back in October. Since then the gelding has raced at both six furlongs and a mile but today's seven furlong trip is probably about right and in a race full of out of form sorts it may pay to give this proven winner a chance to show that his career has some spark left in it. Nativity ran well when second last time to a handicap snip and if building on that over a further furlong this daughter of Kyllachy might pose the biggest threat to our selection. Jack Dean takes the ride and with him looking good for his 3lb claim and from a good draw in 10 it is far from impossible that this filly may stick her head in front at the twelfth time of asking. Granakey has caught the eye on many occasions but has yet to win away from Southwell. That fact tempers enthusiasm in the mare but a mark of 49 looks very generous if Ian Williams has her anything like at her best having given her a pipe-opener over an inadequate five furlongs last time. With improvement likely from that run and Stephen Donohoe up there will be plenty prepared to give this horse a chance to prove that she can win away from Southwell and in such an average race the mare is a live danger. Sovereignty has won here off this mark in the past but isn't in the same sort of form at present so looks opposable and the same goes for Royal Challenge who has been comprehensively beaten the last twice and is only watchable until showing some signs of life. In a very difficult final race we give Vanadium one more chance.
Star Strider 16-1 (8-13) Slowly away, in rear, never nearer, 6th of 9, 7l behind Monashee Rock (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol.
Sovereignty (JPN) 14-1 (9-1) Led early, prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Fine Ruler (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Keibla Spirit 40-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, last of 12, 10l behind Sam's Cross (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Vanadium 6-1 (8-9) Dwelt, raced wide, held up, headway on outer 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Holyfield Warrior (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
Nativity 16-1 (8-9) In rear, soon pushed along, headway over 1f out, went 2nd final furlong, no chance of winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Wake Up Call (8-9) at Kempton 6f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct.
Bahamian Bliss 50-1 (8-7) Towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 13, 6l behind Billy Red (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
Talamahana 40-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 9l behind Dancing Welcome (8-13) at Lingfield 7f Apprentice Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) pol.
Rightcar Dominic 33-1 (9-3) Soon pushed along towards rear, 7th of 9, 12l behind Master Lightfoot (9-3) at Lingfield 5f mdn stks (5) pol.
Metropolitan Chief 40-1 (8-3) Close up, chased leader over 4f out, until weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 9l behind Dynamo Dave (8-3) at Lingfield 7f Apprentice Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) pol.
Kilmun 100-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up, pushed along halfway, eased when no chance over 1f out, 14th of 18, 21l behind Primaeval (9-3) at Redcar 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Oct.
Time For Old Time 25-1 (7-11) Slowly into stride, always in rear, ridden on wide outside and struggling 3f out, last of 13, 11l behind Hereford Boy (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Royal Challenge 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 19l behind La Gifted (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) pol.
Silidan 25-1 (9-0) Behind, switched right 2f out, never on terms, 12th of 14, 17l behind Naomh Geileis (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Granakey (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear and pushed along, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Best One (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Oct.
