led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, driven and rallied to have every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, driven to lead final 100 yards
took fierce hold, with leader, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards
in rear, in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression
pulled hard, prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
in rear, in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
This is a moderate finale to the afternoon's action and what can only a be a tentative vote goes to Cleveland, who has been running consistently well here of late, and he gets the verdict ahead of Arctic Desert and Moral Code. The last mentioned is less exposed than his rivals and has shown some signs of ability but needs to improve on the balance of his form so far to trouble the judge. James Given's Todwick Owl was good value for his maiden success here two starts ago but has again disappointed back in a handicap since then, while Elusive Warrior looks to be going the right way and has slipped to a fair mark so cannot be discounted. Gay Kelleway's Arctic Desert has shown a consistent level of form and should be thereabouts again but preference is for Cleveland.
Moral Code (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Yakimov (9-7) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs in Feb.
Arctic Desert 6-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Northern Desert (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Feb.
Cleveland 7-2 (8-9) Stumbled start, soon led, raced keenly, headed over 2f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Came Back (8-13) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Feb.
Todwick Owl 9-2 (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 9l behind Sparky Vixen (8-1) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 10-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, 7th of 10, 11l behind Decider (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Pawn In Life (IRE) 40-1 (7-13) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 12th of 13, 27l behind Ugenius (8-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.