prominent, driven over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden along halfway, soon behind and tailed off
in touch, led halfway, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, headway over 2f out, effort when not much room and switched right approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven and hung left approaching final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden along over 3f out, one pace final 2f
led, headed halfway, regained lead 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
towards rear, never dangerous
always in rear
never better than mid-division
slow into stride, behind, ridden along and headway on outer over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up behind leaders, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Not the strongest of finales and from a shortlist that includes Blue Empire, Anduril and Wodhill Snaps, we are with Anduril. Ian McInnes' charge is far from consistent but Fergal Lynch got a decent tune out of him last week and while one has to take on board the fact that he has probably regressed over the years, he shouldn't face an unduly tough task in what is effectively a limited handicap. Wodhill Snaps finished behind when the pair met last time out. He hasn't been raised by the assessor and Neil Callan is sought in an effort to get his head infront. Blue Empire hails from a yard that are sending out winners. A frustrating character, he does at least act on this surface. Prince Rossi would have chances on old form but the ex-James Bethell runner requires a real leap of faith. Steel Faith is tried this afternoon in first time blinkers. Sparky Vixen came from last-to-first in order to peel off his opposition last time out. This looks tougher. Shifty is not one to dismiss if the market speaks in his favour. Some able if not particularly skillful characters and Anduril is the recommendation to minimum stakes.
Anduril 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden to lead narrowly over 2f out, soon hung left, headed over 1f out, hard ridden, rallied to lead post, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs beating Having A Ball (8-11) by a hd, 8 ran.
Swayze (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders until weakened 3f out, 6th of 7, 21l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Prince Rossi (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon behind, last of 12, 14l behind Xpres Maite (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Only A Grand 7-2 (9-0) Prominent, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Ruffie (8-2) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (6) fbs.
Blue Empire (IRE) 6-4fav (8-12) In touch, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Jan beating Stepaside (8-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ermine Grey 9-2 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up, came wide entering straight, hung left and headway final furlong, ran on, not reach winnner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Supercast (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol.
Steel Grey 7-1 (8-11) Led 1f, chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Joe Jo Star (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Wodhill Schnaps 10-3 (8-11) Chased leaders, one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Anduril (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Shosolosa (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, always held by leading pair, 3rd of 8, 3l behind King of Legend (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Sparky Vixen 8-1 (8-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs beating Abbeygate (8-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shifty 9-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden when outpaced over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Louisiade (8-10) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs.
Wall To Wall (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) Dwelt, towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 3l behind Idle Journey (8-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp 45-70 pol in Dec.
Ming Vase 20-1 (9-0) Chased leader until ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Birkside (9-6) at Redcar 1m 2f sll (5) gd in Oct.
Cape Dancer (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on but never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Ruffie (8-2) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (6) fbs.
