tracked leader, led over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no extra close home and headed post
held up behind, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, not reach leaders
steaded start, always in rear and weakened well over 2f out
mid-division, progress and in touch 2f out, no impression over 1f out, one pace
held up mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead post
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no progress
led until headed over 2f out, stayed on until lost 3rd well inside final furlong
A typically poor seller where Orenay looks to have the best chance at these weights and we will side with him to be too good for Competitor, Swords and Samson Quest. Jamie Spencer has been booked to partner the selection, who steps up markedly in trip from seven to 10 furlongs. The handicapper took no chances with the gelding originally, but has now had to revise his assessment based on what he has seen, with a 12lb drop in his last four starts making this his clearest chance to date. He is bred to get home here and we think he'll be in front when he does. Swords was a running-on second of 13 at Wolverhampton over 9f last time out. He failed to stay in the slower Southwell ground over a mile and a half, but he is bred to get this sort of trip. However, he has a bit to find officially and we will oppose. Competitor looks a better option, those he is 7lb wrong with the selection on official ratings. John Akehurst's gelding won over course and distance last week, sporting first time blinkers, but a 5lb rise for that, plus a change to a visor from blinkers may mean he will struggle to go in again. Samson Quest ran well in the headgear behind Barton Sands over a mile last time. He has the hoods applied again here, but he has to prove he stays this trip and for that reason we'll take him on with Orenay, who can score.
Competitor 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Dec beating Barton Sands (9-6) by 2l, 11 ran.
Successor 10-1 (9-0) Held up, headway from 3f out, ridden and led briefly inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Turner's Touch (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Blake Hall Lad (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 14, 31l behind Desert Fury (8-11) at Southwell 1m stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Night Explosion (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Held up, behind, headway over 2f, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 14, 9l behind Spy Gun (9-5) at Southwell 7f stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Temper Tantrum 16-1 (8-9) Held up well in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Barton Sands (9-0) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol.
Whenwillitwin 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, always in rear, 10th of 13, 4l behind Tharua (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Orenay (USA) 50-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 11th of 12, 20l behind Paso Doble (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Swords 9-2 (8-12) Held up, hampered and switched right over 3f out, ran on well final furlong, 2nd of 13, hd behind Velocitas (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm (7) pol in Dec.
Tanning 15-2 (8-0) Made virtually all, ridden over 2f out, all out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn clm (7) pol in Dec beating Mujimac (8-8) by a hd, 12 ran.
Strathtay 12-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, soon edged right, ran on, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Shamrock Bay (9-3) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Zinging 40-1 (9-6) Pushed along to chase leaders, weakened over 3f out, last of 13, 19l behind Spitfire Bob (8-9) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Samson Quest 14-1 (9-0) Slowly away, headway over 1f out, strong run near finish, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Barton Sands (9-0) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol.
