in rear, ridden over over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
broke well, soon taken back to race 6 lengths off the pack, improved to join the field in last place 4f out, ridden 3f out, never on terms, given too much to do
tracked winner until 2f out, soon ridden stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f, stay on towards finish
held up, ridden 3f out, no impression
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
made all, ridden 3 lengths clear over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, held on towards finish
The victory gained by Flores Sea last time will have done him the world of good but GENERAL TUFTO was even more impressive and can follow up. Our selection shoulders a 6lb penalty for a decisive course and distance handicap success but if he puts in a similar display it shouldn't halt further success. He's shown himself capable of racking up sequences before and for all his versatility seems best at this trip of a mile, so everything looks in place for a big run. Flores Sea only won a seller last time but that will have done his confidence no harm and he returns to handicapping off a 2lb lower mark. However, despite the fact he clearly likes Southwell he's not yet won beyond seven at any track and his lack of stamina may be found out late on. Miss Bootylishes is 5lbs higher than when last winning but she might need dropping a few pounds on recent efforts. She does act here though and the trip isn't a problem, so she clearly has hopes of getting a place and is fancied to do so ahead of Heroes who is far from certain to act here and may be a shade high in the weights regardless. Border Owl has been well held in two starts here whilst Hilbre Court has plenty on his plate to reverse recent running with our selection; General Tufto.
Heroes 9-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway on inside over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 10l behind Tufton (9-6) at Redcar 1m 2f clm stks (6) gf in Jul.
General Tufto 9-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb beating Castle Myth (8-5) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Flores Sea (USA) 11-10fav (8-12) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb beating Obe Gold (9-4) by 4l, 7 ran.
Miss Bootylishes 4-1 (8-13) Mid-division, kept on over 1f out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Trans Sonic (8-8) at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Horsley Warrior 12-1 (9-1) Not much room leaving stalls, soon prominent, pushed along over 7f out, outpaced 5f out, behind final 3f, eased well over 1f out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Red Cadeaux (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Montiboli (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, soon chasing leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 21l behind Ishiadancer (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol in Feb.
Border Owl (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Led, headed 2f out, chased leader until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Global Village (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Hilbre Court (USA) 9-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 26l behind General Tufto (8-13) at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
