held up and behind, pushed along over 4f out, short lived effort well over 3f out, soon outpaced
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression when edged left well over 1f out
held up, raced keenly, headway to lead over 3f out, soon ridden clear and hung left, eased near finish
tracked leaders, every chance over 3f out, hung left 2f out, no impression
chased leader, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
Another competitive contest to wrap up proceedings at Southwell and Noble Plum is given the vote to see off Clear Reef and Jackie Kiely. Noble Plum tackles the 1m 4f distance for the first time but this should not inconvenience Sir Mark Prescott's gelding. A short priced favourite when beaten last time out, this defeat appeared to occur due to Noble Plum's vulnerability over a shorter trip. Clear Reef bids to complete a three timer but could be in the grasp of the handicapper while Jackie Kiely can be taken to put up his usual game performance. The nod is given to Noble Plum to land the finale.
Clear Reef 11-8fav (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Victory Quest (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Victory Quest (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) In touch, led over 6f out, driven 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Clear Reef (9-9) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Jackie Kiely 15-8jt-fav (9-9) Held up, headway halfway, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Three Boars (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (5) fbs.
Noble Plum (IRE) 5-6fav (9-4) Held up in 3rd, chased winner well over 1f out, soon hung left, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Abounding (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 2-1fav (8-2) In touch, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, battled on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Kylkenny (9-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jeu De Roseau (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 15l behind Bentley Brook (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Flight Dream (FR) 11-4 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Calculating (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs.