prominent, led 2f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on final furlong until headed well inside, no extra close home
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra inside
never better than mid-division
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, always behind
held up, switched left over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, driven 3f out, one pace until weakened final furlong
A decent handicap for the venue and one that can be taken by Cummiskey, with Cardinal Venture, Rampage and Wessex all likely to be involved at the business end. The selection comes from the in-form Jamie Osborne yard and can make the step up in trip a successful one under his penalty. Twice a 6f winner here from his last three starts, he acts on the surface and is bred to get further, so he can take advantage. Cardinal Venture is 10lb higher than when romping away with a soft ground Doncaster race over this trip in November, and he can go better than his latest outing here, though he may need to drop further to score again. Rampage looks a nice sort, though she may have been found out by the handicapper now after battling to success from a 6lb lower mark at Woverhampton last time. Of the others, Wessex makes most appeal. He handles the surface and gets the trip, and strictly on the form book is weighted to reverse placings with the selection on their latest running together. He is not dismissed readily, though we think that Cummiskey is still open to the necessary minimum of improvement he will need to make to uphold that form and he is our selection.
Cardinal Venture (IRE) 7-4fav (8-13) Started slowly and soon in touch, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 12l behind Gentleman's Deal (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Rafferty (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Led, ridden, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Cummiskey (9-8) at Southwell 6f stk (2) fbs.
Wessex (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Dwelt, headway halfway, every chance final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cummiskey (9-8) at Southwell 6f stk (2) fbs.
Cummiskey (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, flashed tail, ran on, won at Southwell 6f stk (2) fbs beating Wessex (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Waterside (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded, 8th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Farewell Gift (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Rampage 11-10fav (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden, hung left and lead over 1f out, hard driven inside final furlong, held on well, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct beating Alchemist Master (9-2) by a nk, 12 ran.
Speed Dial Harry (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Byron Bay (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Flint River 9-2 (9-2) Keen, held up in touch, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 8l behind Byron Bay (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
