towards rear, ridden along halfway, headway on inner over 1f, one pace final furlong
soon led, headed over 1f, driven and kept on gamely final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f, weakened final furlong
held up behind leaders, smooth progress to lead over 1f, ridden and kept on gamely final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f, driven and one pace final furlong
started slowly and behind, soon chased along, never a factor
towardsd rear, effort halfway, no impression
John Gosden rarely leaves Southwell without a winner and RACKETEER has sound claims on the book of maintaining his impressive strike rate. Mark Johnston's pair represent the biggest threat. Racketeer shaped most encouragingly on his debut at Wolverhampton where he ran on well to take second behind a more experienced and well backed winner. That experience should stand him in good stead and normal improvement should see him go close. Lord Chancellor shaped very nicely on debut at Leicester and was arguably a little disappointing at Lingfield but he appears to be a real galloper and could prove far better suited to the demands of this venue. Stablemate Cubism will stay further in time and should improve for his initial experience but he will need to as he appears to have something to find on the book. Jhinga Palak ran well in a valuable sales race at the Curragh when last seen and is respected with the yard going well whilst Molesden Glen has proved his ability to handle the surface which counts for quite a lot but we're happy to stick with Racketeer.
Cubism 7-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 6l behind Cygnet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Lord Chancellor (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (9-3) In touch, lost place over 3f out on inside, switched right over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sonning Gate (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Molesden Glen (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, remained prominent, ridden and still every chance and badly hampered over 1f out, rallied and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Hometown (8-12) at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs in N.
Racketeer (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Prominent 4f out, 4th entering straight, ran on inside final furlong to share 2nd post, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Pressing Matters (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Ultimate 13-2 (9-3) Prominent, raced keenly, chased winner over 2f out until over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Bushveld (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Betsy The Best 50-1 (9-0) Slow away, behind stand's side group, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 23l behind Allformary (9-0) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) hvy in Oct.
Jhinga Palak (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 8th from 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 19, 8l behind Choose Me (8-11) at Curragh 6f 2yo stk hvy in Aug.
