close up, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly away, headway to chase leaders after 2f, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
keen, held up in touch, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
soon pushed along in rear
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish
chased leaders over 6f
led, headed over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, wide and some headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden 3 lengths clear over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
behind from halfway
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
very slowly away, behind, stayed on well from over 1f out, never nearer
A competitive affair can go to Flint River, with Mission Affirmed, Samuel Charles and Byron Bay just a few more in with claims. There is no doubting that Samuel Charles lines up at the top of his game, having won his last two starts, including when successful over the course and distance last time, but he did not have a penalty then for an earlier apprentice win at Wolverhampton, and will do well to get the better of Speed Dial Harry this time. Orpen Wide was back in third last time, and he too is better off at the weights today so should not be dismissed out of hand. However, we look to Flint River as the answer after his unlucky second to Local Poet here three weeks ago. Hugh Morrison's charge was denied a clear run approaching the distance, and was running on well at the finish. Mission Affirmed was third that day and is in fact slightly better off at the weights, but the selection would surely have increased the margin between the pair, given the run of the race. The extra furlong will suit, and although he has performed better on the Polytrack in the past, he is well enough treated at present and can pay to follow. Having proved that he handles the Fibresand when scoring here in December, Byron Bay was found out by a rise in the weights and a step up in trip at Wolverhampton next time. He is yet another to add to the mix, but we shall stay loyal to Flint River.
Speed Dial Harry (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3/4l behind Bazelle (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Byron Bay 9-2 (8-8) Chasing leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Mission Affirmed (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Local Poet (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Flint River 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Local Poet (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Samuel Charles 7-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan beating Speed Dial Harry (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Middle Eastern 7-2 (10-8) Always in rear, last of 10, 7l behind Ryedane (11-2) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Tyrone Sam 6-1 (11-2) Behind, headway and switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Blue Knight (11-5) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Penwell Hill (USA) 20-1 (9-4) In touch, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Chicken Soup (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
