towards rear, never a factor
held up, outpaced over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
dwelt, held up, effort when not much room over 1f out, switched right, driven and no extra final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
started slowly, always behind
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
always rear division
led, headed over 2f out, remained in touch, ridden to regain lead inside final furlong, ran on
Our short list contains Champions Way, Kumakawa and Solicitude, with the selection being Kumakawa. Having been placed off a rating of 52 in two of her last four starts, the now-51-rated Solicitude holds place claims, while Cool Tiger, who was raised following his Kempton success, is at least edging back towards a much more reasonable mark. Grafton is struggling to get back to his best, although cheekpieces of late have brought about some improvement. Kumakawa, who likes it here, remains on a fairly competitive mark, while Champions Way looked an improved performer when second at Kempton last time and he is one to give some thought to. Shadow Jumper at last showed something once again last time and the step up to seven furlongs could help the cause further. Once again, though, the vote goes to Kumakawa.
Wayward Shot (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders to halfway, 13th of 14, 28l behind Christian Bendix (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
Solicitude 10-3fav (8-13) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 16l behind Postmaster (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Cool Tiger 12-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, pulled hard towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 8th of 10, 5l behind Cativo Cavallino (7-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Grafton (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Mister Incredible (8-2) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Feb.
Seldemosa 12-1 (8-10) Held up, headway 2f out, stayed on, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Doctor's Cave (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
Kumakawa 8-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Blushing Prince (8-0) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Hiats 12-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 16l behind Blakeshall Quest (9-2) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Champion's Way (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Track leaders, led over 3f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Firework (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 18-1 (7-12) Chased leader, effort and every chance 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Blushing Prince (8-0) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Barzak (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Behind, never a factor, 11th of 14, 6l behind Best Lead (8-3) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Merdiff 14-1 (8-3) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Wayward Shot (8-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Government (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Christian Bendix (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
