reared start, lost at least 3 lengths, soon behind, ridden, headway on inside 2f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong
close up, ridden to chase winner 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
held up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on under strong pressure from over 1f out, not pace to challenge
soon pushed along in rear
chased winner until halfway, ridden, kept on one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden, stayed on same pace final 2f
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on, not reached winner
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Roman Empire gets the vote in this handicap with Ruman and Soba Jones the main dangers. The selection is a course and distance winner who scored here over 7f last time out when beating Magic Amour. The drop back to this trip should suit and there is no reason to oppose him. Ruman won well at Wolverhampton last time and his trainer remarked afterwards that the horse is better suited to the polytrack than the fibresand surface at Southwell. However, he is in good heart and should run his race. Soba Jones was second behind Shadow Jumper here last time and he is well-treated at present, so there is every chance he will again make the frame. Doctor Dennis and Winthorpe are always capable of getting competitive in this grade so there are others to consider, but for the winner we will stick with the in-form Roman Empire.
Doctor's Cave 7-1 (9-4) Prominent, soon lost place, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Arnie de Burgh (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Roman Empire 3-1fav (9-0) Held up, hard ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Jan beating Magic Amour (8-13) by a nk, 11 ran.
Ruman (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on lead close home, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan beating Diamond Josh (9-2) by a nk, 12 ran.
Winthorpe (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-11) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Soba Jones 15-2 (8-11) Prominent, every chance entering final furlong, chased winner home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Shadow Jumper (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Doctor Dennis (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Behind, headway from over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 13, 3l behind Mister Elegant (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Favouring (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Hampered start, outpaced, headway over 2 out, led just inside last, ran on, won at Southwell 6f mdn clm (7) fbs in Jan beating Fir Tree (9-0) by 4l, 13 ran.
Amanda's Lad (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs in Jan beating Byo (9-4) by a nk, 14 ran.
