chased leader, effort halfway, soon ridden, never on terms
held up in rear, driven halfway, chased leaders 2f out, never able to challenge
slowly away, soon led, quickened over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, not run on
always behind, tailed off, eased well before final furlong
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, chased leaders, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
Bryan Smart's Master Leon has run well in his last two starts, both here at Southwell, and he has solid claims of opening his account but is becoming expensive to follow and it may be worth siding with CLADDAGH, who gets the vote with Oriental Scot rated the best of the rest. The selection has only had the one start so far in a Redcar maiden in September but Mark Johnston's string are in good form at present and, with improvement anticipated, he may be worth chancing. Jamie Osborne's My Grand Duke was well held on his debut at Wolverhampton last month and needs to improve dramatically on that effort to trouble the judge. He still makes more appeal than either Leader Of The Land or Sweet Child O'mine, who make limited appeal on either form or pedigree. Oriental Scot ran better on his second start for Willie Jarvis when chasing home Bowdler's Magic at Wolverhampton and he looks the biggest threat to the selection, Claddagh.
Claddagh 16-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Navy List (9-0) at Redcar 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep.
Leader Of The Land (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) In rear, ridden halfway, never nearer, 8th of 12, 16l behind Whistleinthewind (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Master Leon 6-1 (9-3) Led, ridden clear over 1f out, headed and one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Doctor Zhivago (9-3) at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs.
My Grand Duke (USA) 50-1 (9-3) Behind most of way, 7th of 10, 11l behind Robust Wish (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Oriental Scot 13-8fav (9-3) In touch, raced keenly, not clear run over 2f out, hung left and chased winner just over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Bowdler's Magic (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Sweet Child O'mine Singspiel filly out of Vendors Mistake.