chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden and chase leader over 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed well inside final furlong
behind, tailed off final 3f
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on lead well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
behind, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
in rear, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
always in rear
Black Sea Pearl, Barzak and Solicitude form the shortlist in a competitive finale and the vote is given to Black Sea Pearl. The selection finished a good third behind Sovereignty last time at Wolverhampton in a race where she had no luck in running. She was doing all her best work at the finish that day so the step-up in trip should suit and she looks to hold a leading chance. Barzak is a course and distance winner but she has looked a little one-paced on her last few starts and she may just find this too competitive. Solicitude ran her best race for a while here last time but the step-up in trip is not sure to suit and for that reason we will take her on. Under Fire is from a shrewd yard and is one to note in the market but for the winner we will return to Black Sea Pearl.
Black Sea Pearl 11-2 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, headway final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sovereignty (9-3) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Moonstreaker 50-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on to take 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Zamhrear (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Under Fire (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 5f out, led again over 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mozie Cat (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol.
Barzak (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Elusive Warrior (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs.
Solicitude 16-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Mozakhraf (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs.
Wodhill Schnaps 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, driven to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Bowl of Cherries (8-12) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Lucius Verrus (USA) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Tee Jay Kassidy (9-2) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
Look of Eagles 20-1 (8-6) Mid-division, effort 2f out, no impression, 10th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Dichoh (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.