always in rear
chased leaders, ridden halfway, effort and not clear run over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
held up, never troubled leaders
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
held up, ridden and headway and wide 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra entering final furlong
with leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt, always towards rear
held up, ridden halfway, headway under strong pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
The return to Southwell can help Roman Empire to get back on the right track and he is selected in preference to Piccleyes and Musical Gift. The latter is well treated on the pick of his form and holds solid claims despite being set to race from 1lb out of the handicap. However, his recent form has left a little to be desired in a finish and he may again find at least one too good. Piccleyes is worth another try at this trip as he has been hard to place to good effect recently. However, he too has a tendency to find one more determined in the closing stages and will struggle to resist the selection if he is on song today. Mount Royale is another that has been knocking on the door this all weather season. But he was very disappointing last time and now has something to prove. Therefore, we switch to the in-form yard of Kevin Ryan in search of the winner. Bridgewater Boys also represents the same stable and with Eddie Ahearn doing the steering is very much respected. However, his form is weaker than that of Roman Empire, who looks ideally berthed in stall three.
Pawan (IRE) 66-1 Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Hidden Dragon at Southwell 5f hcp (C1) fbs in Jan.
Riska King 4-1 Towards rear, headway 4f out, hampered over 3f out, no further impression, 10th of 12, 10l behind Harry Potter at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (E3) pol in Nov.
Certain Justice (USA) 7-2 Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 14, 8l behind Book Matched at Southwell 1m clm (F) fbs in Jul.
Mount Royale (IRE) 33-1 Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 10l behind Kareeb at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Roman Empire 7-2 Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 6l behind Joy And Pain at Lingfield 7f stk (F3) pol in Nov.
Quiet Reading (USA) 8-1 Held up, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5l behind Wessex at Southwell 1m hcp (E3) fbs.
Piccleyes 18-1 Close up, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10l behind Bundaberg at Southwell 1m hcp (E3) fbs.
Treetops Hotel (IRE) 12-1 Held up, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, 5th of 14, 4l behind Quantum Leap at Lingfield 7f app hcp (E3) pol.