slowly into stride, headway to lead after 2f, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, pressed leader 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, headed final strides
chased leaders, pushed along and struggling after 2f, driven, kept on, never dangerous
led 2f, chased leader after, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
with leader, soon hung left, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, ridden halfway, headway entering final furlong, stayed on strongly to lead final strides
Just the seven runners for this nursery but all of them must be given some sort of chance with LUCKY MELLOR the token choice to beat Tartufo Dolce and Olympic Ceremony. The case for our selection centres around all-important course form; Seb Sanders' mount was beaten a short head off a mark of 69 over course and distance back in the summer having won a maiden here too. The colt has since held his form well and has gone close to adding to his tally and off a reasonable mark of 73 rates the most solid betting proposition in this line-up. The most likely dangers to our selection are both making their course debuts and are consequently narrowly overlooked this time. Tartufo Dolce is the least exposed of these and did well to beat a solid rival over this trip last time having previously struggled to get home over six and James Givens' filly would rate a big danger off 72 is adapting to the very different surface here. Similar comments apply to Olympic Ceremony who is more exposed but should be suited by dropping down to five furlongs today. This keen-going sort has found six a stretch and his prominent style of racing is one often suited to Southwell so, with Paul Hanagan up, the gelding could take a hand in the finish. Angie's Nap is worth respecting as a course specialist, the filly having won three times here, but she races off a 5lb higher mark than when last successful in handicap company and disappointed when favourite for a seller last time. Perhaps a three week break will have freshened the youngster up though and she should be at her best over the five furlong trip. If that one is given a chance then so must Point To Prove who has a stone pull in the weights for a two-length defeat to Angie's Nap at the start of November. If in similar form today Amy Weaver's son of Refuse To Bend could go well at a price, whilst both Micky's Back and Six Wives have some consistent form in the book. An interesting nursery where the course form of Lucky Mellor is favoured.
Six Wives 15-2 (8-7) Led 1f, prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 8l behind Yer Woman (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-90 (4) pol in Nov.
Lucky Mellor 4-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden 2f out, driven, hung left and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Valmina (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Tartufo Dolce (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, pressed well inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov beating Excellent Thought (8-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Olympic Ceremony 4-1 (9-0) Prominent on outer, chased winner 2f out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Revelator (9-3) at Catterick 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) sft in Oct.
Micky's Knock Off (IRE) 7-1 (8-3) In rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 6l behind Sabatini (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo clm stks (5) pol in Nov.
Angie's Nap (USA) 6-4fav (8-11) Led, headed 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 8l behind Jack Luey (8-6) at Southwell 6f 2yo sell stks (6) fbs in Nov.
Point To Prove 5-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, driven to lead just inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Vilnius (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
