prominent, ridden over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong
prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden when weakening over 1f out
always in rear division
prominent, driven 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
never better than mid-division
led, headed 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
behind, never a factor
prominent, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
Doctor Dennis can be fancied to reverse recent form with Sweet Pickle, Shifty Night and Shadow Jumper on these terms and he gets a tentative vote of confidence. Shadow Jumper has a good record over course and distance and should again be involved in the shake-up. He has never won off a mark this high before, though, and faces a stiff test from top weight today. Shifty Night has also been held off his current rating in recent weeks and looks to need assistance from the handicapper. He is a touch more consistent than Missperon, who got off the mark on the all weather last month but was very disappointing when attempting to follow up last time. Sweet Pickle pulled a joker out of the pack when she won over c&d six days ago. And she would have to be respected on that form. However, her over all record and 6lb penalty conspire against her and she is not one to trust implicitly. Others make more appeal. With Doctor Dennis heading our shortlist for preference on this occasion. The nine-year-old has proved that he is still effective at this grade with several good performances since the turn of the year and, as he has a good, consistent profile, the son of Last Tycoon may prove to be the safest option in a race that makes limited appeal from a betting perspective.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Close up, led briefly over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Sweet Pickle (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Shifty Night (IRE) 10-1 (8-1) Raced wide, held up, ridden halfway, edged left and stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Sweetest Revenge (8-8) at Lingfield 6f fll hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Sweet Pickle 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders travelling well, led 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Doctor Dennis (9-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Doctor Dennis (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Sweet Pickle (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Missperon (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, led over 2f, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 12l behind Set Alight (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Cashel Mead 12-1 (8-6) With leaders, every chance well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3l behind Gone'n'dunnett (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Count Cougar (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Winning Venture (8-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Blakeshall Quest 6-5fav (8-13) Led, headed over 4f out, chased leader after, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Straffan (8-6) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
