tracked leaders, led 3f out, driven and headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden along halfway, weakened over 2f
soon led, headed 3f out, driven over 1f, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear and soon chased along, some late headway, never reached challenging position
dwelt, always in rear
started slowly, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 3f, weakened over 2f
in touch, ridden along halfway, soon behind
With both Bryan Smart and Noel Wilson's few runners going well of late this could be a battle between last-time winners Transmission and RUN FREE and we just prefer the latter. Transmission appeared to be a bit of a surprise winner to Thirsk-based Smart when he scored over course and distance last week in a claimer, after he described the gelding as being tripless. Nonetheless he stuck on gamely to win that contest and even with a 6lb penalty now back in a handicap with renewed confidence he is much respected. Even so, we will take Run Free to score. Noel Wilson's five-year-old chases a hat-trick here after winning twice over 7f at the track. He is up 5lb for the latter success, but the manner of that win suggests that the extra furlong here can enable him to find enough to follow up now that he has discovered some form. Mambo Sun has ability in context here but is not easy to win with having scored just twice in 31 career starts, and while he is certainly capable of making the frame he does struggle for an extra gear close home and again looks an unlikely winner. Mel Brittain's runners are going pretty well without winning, and that fate will probably also await Betteras Bertie, who went close here last time but just keeps finding one too good, though he can again get competitive from the same mark. Rub Of The Relic was a course and distance winner last month but has looked in the grip of the handicapper in two runs since then and we prefer the claims of Run Free.
Transmission (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs beating Clear Sailing (8-13) by a nk, 11 ran.
Mambo Sun 9-2 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 3f, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Run Free 5-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden halfway, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec beating Kingsmaite (9-1) by 2l, 11 ran.
Sir Billy Nick 8-1 (9-4) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 2f, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Lujano (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Rub of The Relic (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden along halfway, outpaced over 2f, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Louisiade (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 30l behind Mrs Bun (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Final Bid (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) In touch, headway and went 3rd halfway, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Icannshift (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 4f app hcp (6) gf in Apr '07.
Betteras Bertie 13-2 (8-10) Held up, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Mrs Bun (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Naughty Girl (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Always in rear, never a factor, 13th of 14, well behind Bollin Freddie (9-12) at Beverley 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy in Sept.
Government (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) With leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 10, 8l behind Vogarth (9-11) at Southwell 7f sll (6).
Abbeygate 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 5f out, one pace, 8th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Hi Spec (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
