chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
steadied start, soon switched left, held up, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
with leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, effort well over 1f out, soon some headway, kept on one pace, never dangerous
close up, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed when weakening inside final furlong
always towards rear
towards rear, ridden and not much room over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on well final furlong
slow away, outpaced behind, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, effort and not much room over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
In a very open affair we have narrowed it down to Candleriggs, Marabar, Ballybunion and On The Trail, with the vote going to the first named. The Dandy Nicholls trained nine-year-old would have slaughtered this lot in his prime, and although nowhere near the force of old should still be capable of landing a race of the nature. He ran well in behind Piddies Pride at Wolverhampton last time and should be spot on for this. The selection's stable companion Ballybunion has earned top-weight with some good performances in better company last season, he will be hard to keep out of the places. On the Trail won twice here last August so has to be respected along with stablemate Marabar, who has also shown a liking for this circuit. The best of the others could be Jedeydd, but in a very competitive seller we will take a chance on Candleriggs.
Ballybunion (IRE) 6-1 Prominent, ridden halfway, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Kiss The Rain at W'hampton 5f hcp (F4) pol in Feb.
Bundy 7-1 Mid-division, soon outpaced, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Yorker at Hamilton 6f app hcp (E3) sft in Sept.
Candleriggs (IRE) 20-1 Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, edged left and led over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3/4l behind Piddies Pride at W'hampton 6f sll (G4) pol in Feb.
Fox Covert (IRE) 10-1 Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 13th of 19, 6l behind Betty's Pride at Lingfield 5f hcp (F4) gf in Sept.
Grand View 40-1 Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cleveland Way at W'hampton 6f stk pol.
Jakeal (IRE) 33-1 Chased leaders over 4f, 13th of 16, 35l behind Boppys Princess at Nottingham 1m hcp (F4) hvy in Nov.
Jedeydd 12-1 Dwelt, towards rear far side, never dangerous, 9th of 20, 6l behind Roman Empire at Newcastle 6f hcp (F4) gd in Sept.
Laurel Dawn 20-1 Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along halfway, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 11, 2l behind Midmaar at Lingfield 6f stk (H5) pol in Feb.
Luke After Me (IRE) 5-2 Held up, not much room 3f out, soon struggling, 9th of 10, 14l behind Shinko Femme at Leicester 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (G) gd in Aug.
Only If I Laugh 14-1 Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 15l behind Kennington at Southwell 6f clm (F4) fbs.
On The Trail 13-2 Led until halfway, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 25l behind Xpres Digital at Southwell 6f clm (F4) fbs.
Ronnie From Donny (IRE) 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Kennington at Southwell 6f clm (F4) fbs.
Royal Windmill (IRE) 33-1 Held up, always in rear, 10th of 11, 13l behind Feast Of Romance at Southwell 6f hcp (F4) fbs in Feb.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 25-1 Chased leader, weakening when hampered over 2f out, 8th of 10, 10l behind Sergeant Lewis at Southwell 6f mdn stk (D3) fbs.
Telepathic (IRE) 25-1 Soon outpaced, last of 13, 25l behind Dexileos at W'hampton 6f stk (H5) pol in Jan.
Marabar 9-2 Behind and outpaced halfway, kept on, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 8l behind Mutassem at Southwell 7f stk (H5) fbs.
Miss Wizz 4-1 Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 10l behind John O'Groats at Ayr 6f stk (H5) sft in Oct.