with leaders, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, still every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish
dwelt, hampered start, outpaced, never dangerous
ridden soon after start, outpaced, behind from halfway
hampered start, keen, smooth headway to track leaders after 2f, effort over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
led 2f, remained prominent, ridden halfway, soon one pace
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced halfway
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
went right start, chased leaders, weakened halfway
Muara, Count Cougar and Spirit of Coniston are the three to look at here and Muara is taken to follow up his recent success. Muara is in good heart judged by his decisive win at Wolverhampton last time and a six pound penalty may not be enough to stop him. He has been placed on his lasyt two visits to Southwell and will take the beating. Spirit of Coniston has won on his last two visits to the track and although they were both claimers, he is respected. Count Cougar had slipped down the handicap before winning here last time. He won by three lengths that day, and although also shouldering a six pound penalty, he will be in the shake up. Muara is a consistent type and may just have the edge.
Count Cougar (USA) 7-2 (8-6) In touch, led 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) std in Jan beating Cleveland (8-6) by a hd, 11 ran.
Garlogs 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Gifted Lass (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Vlasta Weiner 14-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 10, 2l behind Mozakhraf (11-0) at Lingfield 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Egyptian Lord 16-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Canadian Danehill (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Desert Dust 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Gifted Lass (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Orchestration (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) In rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Glamaraazi (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.
Muara 9-2fav (9-0) Led early, remained prominent, led just inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f fll hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Cerebus (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Spirit of Coniston 9-2 (8-6) With leaders, led and hung left over 1f out, soon headed, no extra, 5th of 6, 5l behind Night Prospector (9-8) at Lingfield 5f clm (6) pol in Jan.