led, one length clear when fell 4 out
swerved left start, chased leader after 2nd, left in lead 4 out, driven out
held up, hit 5th, ridden and mistake 13th, went 2nd approaching last, ran on flat
swerved left start, held up, left 2nd when pecked and rider lost iron 4 out, close 3rd when almost unseated rider last, not recover
Fast ground specialist Southerndown goes from strength to strength for trainer Richard Lee and despite having to shoulder top weight here he is TEAMtalk's idea of the winner. The trainer is well known for working the oracle with horses who might appear to have fallen out with the game and Southerndown has certainly enjoyed improved form since moving to Lee's yard, winning twice at Southwell and once at Bangor in his last three starts. He comes here full of confidence and can defy his highest mark to win again. His main opposition in this small field could well come from Phar From Chance. Paul Nicholls' gelding looked likely to improve when scoring easily on fast ground at Newton Abbot in August, though he has disappointed slightly since. However, with the yard in cracking form and a drop in class here, he can chase home the selection. Yakareem also merits respect but looks a little one paced, while Channahrlie's Market Rasen conqueror The Merry Mason has come out and won again, and Robin Dickin's charge also merits consideration.
