soon led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up, pushed along halfway, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Neardown Beauty earns our vote ahead of Intersky Charm and course specialist Wessex. The form of the selection's course and distance win a week ago looks solid and she can defy her penalty. She comfortably accounted for a progressive rival that day whilst the third home, Haroldini, gave the form a boost when winning on Tuesday. Intersky Charm is also penalised having scored by 7 lengths over a mile on the same card. This race is far more competitive but the way that she travelled suggested that she won't be troubled by dropping back in trip and she cannot be ruled out with confidence. Wessex has only twice finished out of the money here in thirteen starts and is now 2lbs lower than when last successful. That win was in February 2006 but he ran Wise Dennis close here in April and is no back number. Neither Dichoh nor Tagula Sunrise are ruled out but the vote goes to the in-form Neardown Beauty.
Wessex (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Mr Lambros (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Secret Liaison 14-1 (9-3) Took keen hold towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some late headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 9, 5l behind Monkey Glas (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Dichoh 11-1 (9-4) Soon led, headed narrowly 3f out, led again briefly 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Alfresco (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Tagula Sunrise (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Slowly away, always behind, 7th of 8, 17l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Sand Cat 7-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Neardown Beauty (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway on inner 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Realt Na Mara (9-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Intersky Charm (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven, ran on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating King's Ransom (8-5) by 7l, 6 ran.