chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, went 3rd well over 2f out, driven to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong
narrow lead, headed halfway, ridden over 2f out, chased leader until weakened over 1f out
pressed leader, narrow lead halfway, ridden over 1f out, edged left briefly inside final furlong, headed, no extra well inside final furlong
Just four declared for this very average maiden but something has to win and we'll take INSIDE TRACK to do just that from Admiral Breese and City Gossip. Tony Culhane's mount is officially rated 75 and if able to run to within half a stone of that mark this gelding will take some beating in a poor race with the only real concern being whether the two-year-old will cope on Southwell's artificial surface and although that is something we can't guarantee we're prepared to take a chance in this small field. City Gossip would've been a clear danger were it not for a very modest run in nursery company here on Tuesday. That was the filly's first try at Southwell and whilst it would be unfair to rule her out on the surface on the back of it, it's surely reasonable to assume she ran nowhere near her mark of 65 and so doubts remain as to whether Mick Quinlan's animal will be able to do so here. Admiral Breese is rated a danger having taken third here last time. Beaten some 10 lengths that day it is hard to take any strong encouragement from the performance but this son of Halling did seem to cope with conditions and remains unexposed so must be afforded respect in this company. Tenga Venga completes the line-up and is deemed the least likely winner having been comfortably held in similar company on all four of his starts. There may yet be some improvement to come from this gelding and he's at least had a spin around Southwell but that alone does not provide anything like a compelling case and he's therefore overlooked in favour of Inside Track.
Tenga Venga 22-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Right Grand (9-3) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs.
Inside Track (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Led, pushed up to lead after 1f, narrowly headed over 1f out, stayed challenging and every chance throughout final furlong, lost 2nd on line, 3rd of 7, hd behind Kirsty's Boy (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
Admiral Breese 16-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, lead until over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Solicitor (9-3) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) fbs in Nov.
City Gossip (IRE) 9-4fav (8-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Lord Victor (8-11) at Southwell 7f 2yo sell stks (6) fbs.
