A weak contest can go to House Arrest with the exposed Mr Chocolate Drop and Peppin's Gold looking best of the rest. The selection is one of the more consistent horses in the race and has a lot of experience in these contests. Whilst the record of no wins in 14 races is worrying, this won't take much winning so she has leading claims, despite her wide draw. Peppin's Gold has shown a degree of promise however he is so unreliable that he cannot be truly fancied, whilst Ten Black would have claims if reproducing his form of last autumn. Mr Chocolate Drop is certainly no world-beater however he wasn't beaten far on his first venture into selling company so must have claims, however we will tentatively return to House Arrest to small stakes as our nomination.
Emefdream 33-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 23l behind Medici Code (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Spinning Game 66-1 (7-13) Led 6f, ridden, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 19l behind Strikeen (9-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Lenard Frank (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Slowly away, soon well behind, last of 9, 13l behind Cuppacocoa (8-5) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Aug.
Montiona 150-1 (9-0) Mid-division, behind final 5f, last of 9, 36l behind Sweetheart (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Keen in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 4th of 6, 9l behind Medici Code (9-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Power Alert 10-1 (8-12) Towards rear and keen, headway over 3f out, hung both ways and one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Gold Response (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo sll (6) pol in Dec.
Barney's Dancer 40-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and lost place halfway, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 28l behind Six Day War (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn (5) fbs in Jan.
Heart And Hand (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly well over 1f out, last of 12, 22l behind Kings Shillings (8-10) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan.
House Arrest 20-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 9l behind Sheriff's Silk (9-4) at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Peppin's Gold (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 13l behind Sheriff's Silk (9-4) at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Polly Rocket 20-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, 5th of 8, 7l behind Put It On The Card (8-6) at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol in Jan.
Ten Black 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Sweet World (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (6) pol in Jan.