towards rear, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
outpaced, soon chased along, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f, kept on final furlong
in touch, led halfway, driven out and kept on gamely final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, one paced until weakened inside final furlong
led until halfway, headed and soon behind
Very competitive this contest, with all bar First Order having won over course and distance, and from a shortlist of NORTHERN EMPIRE, Canadian Danehill and Rebel Duke, we'll be supporting the Kevin Ryan-trained gelding. He's well in at the weights, and proved himself versatile with wins on both the fibresand and polytrack. Last time out he finished ahead of The Tatling and Canadian Danehill when receiving weight, something he enjoys again here. He's the yard's only runner on the card, and they do well here. Canadian Danehill may try and make all to replicate a win here last month; Rebel Duke was narrowly beaten from the same draw last time out while the old boy The Tatling looks reinvigorated by a switch to the all-weather, and did beat a number of these here last month when winning on his Southwell debut. He wasn't top weight then though, which he is today. It's a tight contest to evaluate with plenty of collateral form to go on, and we'll side with Northern Empire.
The Tatling (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, kept on same pace inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 9, 2l behind Ivory Silk (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Held up, never dangerous, last of 9, 16l behind Matsunosuke (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Dec.
First Order 16-1 (8-3) Dwelt, always in rear, soon pushed along, never dangerous, last of 7, 7l behind The Game (8-6) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 9-2 (7-11) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed last 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Pawan (8-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, with leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 4th of 9, 1l behind Ivory Silk (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Northern Empire (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-7) Held up towards rear, hanging right over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Ivory Silk (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Dodaa (USA) 14-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 5l behind Misaro (8-9) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.