chased leaders, driven and outpaced 3f out, switched outside and effort 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, no impression
led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, kept on to press winner and every chance final furlong, held near finish
pressed leader, led inside final 2f, driven and held on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, no chance with leading pair
Nonrunner
A near seven-month absence has to be a concern but MACHINIST is so far clear on the ratings he has to be the selection from Stonecrabstomorrow and Peninsular War. Dandy Nicholls' veteran has been around for an age and although surely past his best that didn't stop him landing a competitive handicap off 90 when last seen in May. That effort sets the gelding apart in this company so we're prepared to overlook the subsequent absence and concerns about the surface by making him the pick. If he copes on the surface he may not need to be one hundred percent fit anyway and the other principles have similar doubts. Best of those might be Stonecrabstomorrow who has a similar absence to overcome but is two from two in claiming company. Both those wins came back in May and, whilst he might not be up to his official mark of 73 judging by a subsequent handicap failure, if the seven-year-old returns fit he should run a solid race. Unlike our selection the Fahey horse has at least run on this surface before and that second placed effort showed it holds no fears. Peninsular War is far less exposed than those mentioned but remains a maiden and also makes his debut at Southwell. Fitness won't be an issue with this one and he should benefit from stepping back to six furlongs today but the percentage call is to oppose him given that record of 13 starts and zero wins. Of the other two Rosie Says No is preferred to Mango Music as she has placed form at the track and is better off at today's weights but neither have much hope of beating our selection Machinist if he takes to the track.
Machinist (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division, outpaced halfway, driven to lead final furlong, kept on well, won at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May beating Legal Eagle (8-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mango Music 10-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 11, 2l behind Cheap Thrills (8-7) at Southwell 6f clm stks 0-70 (6) fbs in Dec.
Stonecrabstomorrow (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 13th of 14, 12l behind Barricado (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Rosie Says No 9-1 (7-12) Slowly into stride, outpaced, always behind, 8th of 9, 10l behind Total Impact (8-9) at Southwell 5f clm stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Peninsular War 33-1 (9-3) Keen in touch, effort on inside, and soon every chance over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Celtic Sovereign (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
