in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden halfway, headway on outside from over 1f out, hung left and ran on to lead post
raced wide, held up, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, kept on same pace
stumbled start, soon tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway on outside from over 1f out, hung left and ran on final furlong
held up, staying on when not much room inside final furlong
held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, soon not clear run, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, keen, ridden 2f out, chased leader inside final furlong, stayed on
soon led, ridden and headed and no extra well inside final furlong
It is only a year since Capable Guest was flying the flag for Mick Channon in the 2,000 Guineas and this son of Cape Cross is forwarded as an each-way option in a race where Northern Desert, Speed Dial Harry and Bravo Maestro are likely to set the fractions for the bookmakers. Bravo Maestro goes well at this track and seems to be enjoying himself now that he is with Nick Littmoden. However, his record over a mile is unconvincing and he has a little to prove on balance. Speed Dial Harry has got his act together well at present and arrives here in good heart. Nevertheless, he appears to handle Southwell a touch better than Lingfield and, again there are chinks in his armour for the rest to exploit at this level. Northern Desert rates as a bigger threat after a series of good performances of late. A 7lb rise in the weights is fair and he should go well again here. Nevertheless, races like this have a habit of throwing up surprise results at this time of year and a chance is taken with Capable Guest. Mick Channon has enjoyed a good spell with his runners in Dubai and his team are obviously working overtime in preparation for the new turf season. And Capable Guest, although an underachiever, looks a likely type for them to go to war with in handicaps in the coming weeks. The four-year-old is now 18lb lower in the ratings than he was for his return last season and it will not be the biggest shock to see him make the most of the handicapper's leniency and sneak into a place in, what looks a real tough one to call.
Lygeton Lad 10-1 (9-2) Chased leader until over 3f out, 6th of 8, 8l behind Something (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Bravo Maestro (USA) 7-2 (8-1) Held up in rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Arturius (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Atlantic Quest (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Trifti (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Cardinal Venture (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, led 2f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Speed Dial Harry (7-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Northern Desert (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up, good headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Kindlelight Debut (8-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Trifti 13-2 (9-3) In touch and keen, ridden 2f out, edged right 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Atlantic Quest (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Speed Dial Harry (IRE) 6-1 (7-11) Held up, switched left over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs beating Wessex (9-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Obrigado (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Held up and behind, headway on inside over 1f out, not reach leader, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Atlantic Quest (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
