tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, clear final furlong, eased close home
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
led, headed over 4f out, led again 3f out, headed well over 1f out, stayed on same pace
with leader, led over 4f out until 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
Although he scored here last week in a claimer, TRANSMISSION is no good thing back in a handicap from a higher mark, but he is selected by process of elimination, to follow up. Bryan Smart's charge ended a losing run stretching back a year and has been hard to win with, but he did the job well enough and even with a 6lb penalty he has an obvious chance of repeating the feat over a shorter trip with little else making appeal on recent evidence. The old boy Whitbarrow is 6lbs higher than when winning here last month and while track and trip suit and he should be on the premises he is definitely vulnerable. Jonnie Skull is 8lbs higher than when winning here in December and is generally going well enough this winter to suggest that he will be competitive, though the handicapper looks to have his measure at present. Premier Lad is still open to a bit of improvement and this step up in trip makes him interesting, particularly if backed. Tidal Force and Madison Belle are hard to recommend on recent efforts and marginal preference is for Transmission.
Transmission (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m clm stks (6) fbs beating Special Cuvee (8-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
Madison Belle 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 10l behind Elusive Warrior (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Whitbarrow (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, effort from over 2f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Elusive Warrior (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 16-1 (8-0) Prominent, pulled hard, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Snow Bay (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Premier Lad 5-2fav (8-13) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled winner, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Elusive Warrior (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Tidal Force (USA) 18-1 (8-2) Soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Transmission (8-13) at Southwell 1m clm stks (6) fbs.