prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, kept on final furlong
led, headed well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, driven over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
always rear division
chased leaders, ridden along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never a factor
never better than mid-division
dwelt, chased along and was soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
jumped left at start, always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
In the finale, Piccleyes is selected ahead of Favouring and Alistair John. Piccleyes met trouble in running last time and, given that he ought to be capable of winning from his current mark, has to be considered today. Alistair John looked to have rediscovered his form last time and would have to be considered if able to build on that, while Union Jack Jackson, who likes it here, ought to be able to go well from his dropping mark. Favouring was beaten a whisker over course and distance two runs ago and, generally consistent, he can get involved, while Midmaar lacks good form here, and much as Christian Bendix won over seven furlongs here last time, he is a course and distance winner and is entitled to respect. Finally, a first-time visor worked the trick for Blythe Spirit last time but he is a little moody and will it work again? Piccleyes was third in that race and it is to that course and distance winner that we return to in nominating a selection.
Blythe Spirit 12-1 (8-4) In rear, ridden over 3f out, headway and not clear run 2f out, headway to lead on bit approaching final furlong, ridden and hung left, won at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Feb beating Shava (8-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Christian Bendix 25-1 (8-8) Made all, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb beating Astorygoeswithit (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Midmaar (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Prominent to halfway, 9th of 11, 9l behind Doctor's Cave (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Wolfman 12-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, bumped and short of room over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 10l behind Blythe Spirit (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Favouring (IRE) 9-2fav (8-4) Hampered start, held up, headway halfway, chased leader over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Soba Jones (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Union Jack Jackson (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 3l behind Mill By The Stream (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.
Alistair John 12-1 (8-11) Dwelt, towards rear, headway 3f out, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Dodaa (9-0) at Southwell 5f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Feb.
Piccleyes 15-2 (8-3) Chased leaders, headway and short of room over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Blythe Spirit (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Dancing Beauty (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out, 12th of 14, 10l behind Astorygoeswithit (9-0) at Southwell 6f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Feb.
Danethorpe (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Keen hold, prominent, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 8l behind Doctor's Cave (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb.
Alucica 40-1 (9-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 6l behind Dodaa (9-0) at Southwell 5f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Feb.
Saintly Place 25-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 18l behind Doctor's Cave (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Lizzie Rocket 33-1 (8-2) Soon led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 11l behind Muara (9-0) at W'hampton 6f fll hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Far Note (USA) 40-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-4) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Feb.
