led, headed over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
behind and pushed along, soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, chased leaders after 3f, led approaching final furlong, just held on
slowly away, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly, just failed
behind and pushed along, never on terms
with leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, chasing leaders on outer halfway, weakened well over 2f out
mid-division, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
This seller should rest between ELUSIVE WARRIOR and Tender Process and it is the former who gets the vote. Alan McCabe's gelding has recorded six of his seven wins over course and distance and he clearly relishes this slower surface. He has the inside rail to run against throughout, and he is due to pop up with another win, so we will side with him here. Tender Process carries the same BHA rating and was running on well when fifth of eight at Lingfield last time. However, Richard Fahey's runner has not yet produced his best on this surface and for that reason he is opposed. Vogarth recorded his only win here over a mile in November but has struggled from higher marks in handicaps since and he is not favourably treated at the weights today. A first-time visor will need to have the desired effect if he is to bridge the gap. Cap St Jean is worse off at the weights with the selection than he was when finishing behind him here last month so his prospects look as bleak as the recent weather, while Sion Hill's only win here came on turf and with the surface an issue and a fair bit to find with our pick, we will stick with Elusive Warrior today.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 12-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Clear Sailing (9-1) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Tender Process (IRE) 5-1 (8-3) Behind, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, switched right and ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 3l behind Little Edward (9-5) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Vogarth 7-1 (9-2) Started slowly, always rear division, 9th of 14, 13l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Cap St Jean (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Dwelt, towards rear, some late headway, never reached challenging position, 7th of 14, 8l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Fish Called Johnny 28-1 (8-6) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, last of 12, 16l behind Double Carpet (8-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Government (IRE) 50-1 (7-12) Led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 21l behind Mrs Bun (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) slw.
Sion Hill (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, no extra, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Moment of Clarity (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Arrabiata 66-1 (8-7) Dwelt and always rear division, 8th of 10, 12l behind Tri Chara (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Swallow Senora (IRE) 100-1 (8-0) Mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 19l behind Came Back (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Lonsdale Lad 200-1 (8-12) Soon pushed along to lead, headed over 4f out, weakened 3f out, last of 9, 33l behind Trueblue Wizard (9-3) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn (5) fbs in Dec.
