mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon behind
held up, pushed along over 4f out, headway 3f out, one pace final 2f
in touch, led after 4f, driven along and headed over 4f out, soon behind
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up on outside, smooth progress to lead over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
held up behind leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, one pace final 2f
led, headed after 4f, soon beaten
Nonrunner
It generally pays to follow Pat Haslam round this time of the year, and so Middleham Park gets the vote over the likes of Hopeful Mission, Royal Lustre and Bond Moonlight to name but three. Middleham Park has in the main been disappointing since making a promising debut at Ripon two years ago and has so far failed to break his duck. He does seem to have performed better over hurdles than on the Flat in the past but has done fairly well on the past few occasions that he has visited Southwell, having been placed twice. On his last appearance on the all-weather, at Wolverhampton in November, he was staying on over nine furlongs and so the step up in trip today should suit at least. He makes more appeal than Hopeful Mission who is still on a learning curve after one outing in bumper company at Lingfield and a quiet run round here on New Year's Day. Royal Lustre has an absence to overcome and makes his all-weather debut. He is a half-brother to Derby winner Lamtarra but there the similarity ends as he has struggled to impress on Turf in the past. His second over 10 furlongs at Goodwood in September reads well enough but his future no doubt lies over timber. Bond Moonlight's stable are having a very quiet time but he will come on for what was only his second outing in seven months when trying to make all here 12 days ago. He will be that bit fitter and may last enough to make the frame this time. Only a small investment is suggested on Middleham Park.
