raced wide, took keen hold, held up, took closer order after 3f, headway to track winner 5f out, ridden when rider lost whip over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly away, in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden 4f out, kept on, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 7f out, ridden clear from 2f out, ran on strongly
close up, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
led, headed 7f out, outpaced over 4f out, driven and rallied over 1f out, kept on
close up, ridden and slightly outpaced over 5f out, driven and rallied over 2f out, soon chased winner, no impression
Nonrunner
Another decent prize on offer and it can go to connections of LUCKY PUNT who can land this ahead of Luberon and River Ardeche. Brendan Powell's gelding has four course wins to his name and a mark of 84 shouldn't be insurmountable judging by his latest success here off 5lbs lower. That eased-down victory came over further and so today's drop in trip has to be taken into account but the three-year-old did win over this trip back in May and should have the requisite speed to cope. As a four-time course winner it's clear the horse likes it at Southwell and with Fergus Sweeney in the saddle he's likely to take the world of beating here. Luberon is rated most likely to cause an upset if adapting to this surface. Mark Johnston's six-year-old has won off higher marks in the past and whilst perhaps not as good as he was this gelding might be able to dominate this small field from the front under Kieren Fallon. The stable remain in decent form and if this one takes to the track he rates a serious danger to our less exposed selection. River Ardeche is relatively unexposed for a four-year-old and has a victory here over a furlong further to his name. Pat Haslam's gelding gamely held on that day and so this slightly shorter trip shouldn't pose too much of a problem although he is 5lbs higher than for that success and this is surely a better race. Richard Fahey saddles Prince Picasso here and whilst the six-year-old was held off this mark last time he invariably runs well on the flat and may be able to take a hand in the finish if coping with the surface, as might Dunaskin who runs off the same mark as when second here a couple of outings ago. A competitive race this one but Lucky Punt can progress further to take it.
Luberon 3-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed over 8f out, chased leader and clear of rest until over 4f out, led inside final 3f, headed well over 1f out, weakened, 4th of 5, 11l behind Scintillo (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Paktolos (FR) 40-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 6l behind Merchant Of Dubai (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Lucky Punt 85-40fav (8-6) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, ridden and in command 2f out, kept on strongly, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Oct beating Trip The Light (9-8) by 4l, 6 ran.
River Ardeche 7-2 (9-2) Led, quickened pace 3f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Trip The Light (8-12) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Prince Picasso 11-1 (8-11) Soon led, headed over 3f out, with leader when bumped over 2f out, chased winner and every chance over 1f out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Tiger Dream (8-8) at Haydock 1m app hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Dunaskin (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Prominent until dropped rear after 3f, headway on outside over 5f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Blue Nymph (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Elite Land 4-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 32l behind Dontpaytheferryman (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
