mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
held up, never near leaders
made all, ridden and stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
raced wide, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
in rear, ridden and kept on, never near leaders
always towards rear
in rear, ran on final furlong nearest finish
chased winner, ridden and every chance from 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
chased winner 4f
chased winner until halfway
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
Climate gets the narrow vote in this wide open seller with Rafferty and Paso Doble the others to consider. The selection has two key factors in his favour today as he is dropped in grade and also in trip. He has been in good form this winter and he looks the one to beat. Rafferty is from a stable that has to be respected in these type of events and with Graham Gibbons in the plate he has to be considered, but he is returning from a long break today so may just need the outing. Paso Doble has won three of his four races here and it was a decent effort last time to chase home the progressive Bowl Of Cherries. He will not be far away at the finish along with with Hout Bay who hinted that he might be about to return to form with a promising effort last time. However, for the winner we are happy to return to the in-form Climate.
Climate (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Slowly into stride, held up, not much room on inside 7f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 7l behind Sol Rojo (10-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Memphis Man 12-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, switched right and headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 13, 6l behind The London Gang (9-5) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol.
Shrine Mountain (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 6f out and remained in touch, weakened 2f out, 7th of 13, 6l behind Kingsmaite (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Tuscan Flyer 20-1 (9-0) Held up, never trouble leaders, 12th of 14, 12l behind Blakeshall Quest (9-2) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Capital Lass 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 14, 3l behind Blakeshall Quest (9-2) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Paso Doble 7-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Bowl of Cherries (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcap (6) pol.
Rafferty (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) In touch, driven along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 13l behind Dancing Lyra (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcap (4) hvy in Mar.
The City Kid (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) In rear, ridden halfway, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Skip Of Colour (9-0) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs.