mid-division, ridden and one pace final 2f
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in rear, headway over 2f, driven and weakened over 1f
chased leaders and keen, challenged over 1f, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
always behind
slowly into stride, never dangerous
made all, held on gamely final furlong (hand timed)
dwelt, always behind
prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out
CAPE OF STORMS is the selection on this occasion with Ugenius and Run Free respected. Roy Brotherton's string seem in good nick of late and this course specialist plugged on well when plenty were off the bridle from some way out. He does not win particularly often but has more positives than most. Ugenius has been the victim of his own success as far as consistency is concerned. His Kempton run was far from a disgrace and he should give another good account here. Run Free seemed to appreciate a positive ride last time and it would be no surprise to see similar tactics on display here. He would need to reverse form with Hamaassy on that particular line. Charlotte Grey is always dangerous if allowed a soft time upfront though the draw is not exactly helpful. Jordi Roper has questions to answer after a flop over a mile. Ex-Luca Cumani inmate, Motivated Choice was been well backed on a couple of occasions so we'll wait to see if those backers are chasing losses this afternoon. Cape Of Storms secures the recommendation to minimal stakes.
Motivated Choice 11-4 (9-0) Led, steady pace, quickened tempo 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, unable to quicken, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Jake The Snake (9-7) at Kempton 7f clm (6) pol.
Jebel Tara 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never troubled leaders, 11th of 14, 7l behind Bazguy (9-3) at Great Leighs 6f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Ugenius 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, pressed and headed 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Alqaahir (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Haroldini (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden along over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Obe Royal (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Hamaasy 11-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Obe Royal (8-12) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Charlotte Grey 9-2 (8-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Tender Process (8-7) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Cape of Storms 9-2 (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs beating Afton View (8-11) by 1l, 11 ran.
Run Free 12-1 (8-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Obe Royal (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Wiseman's Diamond (USA) 40-1 (8-8) In touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon faded, 10th of 13, 10l behind Moves Goodenough (9-6) at Nottingham 1m app hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Jordi Roper (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) In touch, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind General Tufto (8-6) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs.
Mocha Java 4-1jt-fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Binnion Bay (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Mont Cervin 20-1 (8-1) Raced keenly, soon prominent, went 2nd over 6f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 10, 10l behind Pab Special (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) std.
Government (IRE) 22-1 (8-2) Led, headed after 3f, remained in touch, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 9, 8l behind General Tufto (8-6) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs.
