held up, wide and smooth headway from 3 out, led 2f out, ridden and hung left 1f out, weakened and headed inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear, headway and not clear run on inside over 2f out, switched right, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
prominent over 5f
in rear, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead post
led, ridden 3f out, headed and outpaced 2f out, rallied to lead briefly inside final furlong, headed post
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to go 3rd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
very slowly away, always behind
held up, wide and headway 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
in touch, outpaced 3f out, switched right soon after, kept on final furlong
pushed along to track leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 2f out
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3f out
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Castle Myth will be popular under a penalty for his Wolverhampton win, and he looks sure to go well, but he looks vulnerable to ALMAHAZA, who is the suggestion to score at a price. The selection has two course and distance wins to his name and clearly enjoys this slower surface. He is 4lbs higher than the best of those wins, although his jockey's 5lb claim will help to negate that so some extent. He is reasonably consistent for one in this grade and he looks a bit of value against likely favourite Castle Myth. Brian Ellison's three-year-old ran on well to score over 1m 1f at Wolverhampton, and receives an extra 6lbs to shoulder today. This slightly shorter trip and the fact that he is unproven on this surface suggest that he is no racing certainty and we will take him on. Rockson represents a stable going well and looks on a fair mark now, although he has shown little when previously tried here, while Great Bounder is on the same mark as when a beaten favourite at Dunstall Park last time, when he ran with credit, though he has to prove himself at this track. Royal Keva has acted well enough here in defeat and returns to Southwell for the first time in almost a year after a decent effort at Wolverhampton. He would be interesting if backed, but preference is for Almahaza.
Almahaza (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Blue Turk (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Castle Myth (USA) 9-2 (8-7) Slowly away, in rear, good headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol beating Bidable (8-8) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Silly Gilly (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Tracked winner, joined winner 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 15, 16l behind Hurricane Thomas (9-13) at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Prince Golan (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Led to 5f out, chased leader until over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Naheell (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Great Bounder (CAN) 4-1fav (8-12) In touch, ridden 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Coolnaharan (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol.
Royal Keva (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 2l behind Coolnaharan (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol.
The Wily Woodcock 80-1 (8-11) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 12, 14l behind Obe Brave (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Komreyev Star 50-1 (8-6) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place, last of 12, 11l behind Miss Sophisticat (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Rockson (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Behind, ridden over 3f out, no impression over 2f out, 7th of 14, 10l behind Naomh Geileis (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Sparky Vixen 16-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 17l behind Lucayan Dancer (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f sell stks (6) gf in May.
Bernix 100-1 (9-8) Towards rear, never nearer, 9th of 15, 12l behind Hurricane Thomas (9-13) at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Remark (IRE) 100-1 (8-3) Held up in rear, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 6l behind Appalachian Trail (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol.
Just Call Me Dave (USA) 33-1 (7-12) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost place and in rear, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind John Forbes (9-9) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Silk Star (IRE) 200-1 (8-5) Always towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 13, 16l behind Voortrekker (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jun.
