in rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon one pace
dwelt, ridden to chase leaders, chased leader halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, slightly outpaced halfway, driven and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden and weakened well over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden clear
chased leaders until halfway
in rear, never nearer
dwelt, headway on outer over 3f out, ran wide on home turn into straight, soon ridden and weakened
close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
Lucius Verrus must have obvious claims if turned out again after Tuesday's second, and so he gets the vote ahead of Dodaa, Massey and Luloah. The selection has been running consistently all winter and probably would of won had he not fluffed the start on Tuesday before making up a lot of ground late-on in the day to finish runner-up. The stable are in good form at present with most of the horses seeming to give their true running, so he must have leading claims. Another with claims is Massey who won at a big price last month over course and distance, and whilst that race wasn't up to much, neither is this so the old-timer must have place claims. Luloah is fairly consistent so could be involved, although a record of two wins in twenty-one starts tempers enthusiasm somewhat. Christian Bendix is a course and distance winner so warrants respect from his good draw, although he is another who tends to find at least a couple too good. There didn't appear to be any fluke about Dodaa's all-the-way success last month and so he could be a horse on the improve, however this race looks more competitive so he looks one to reluctantly pass over. Ultimately then we will return to Lucius Verrus as our idea of the winner.
Aboustar 16-1 (8-0) Soon pushed along towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 7l behind Mill By The Stream (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) std.
Amanda's Lad (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Orchestration (8-12) at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Astorygoeswithit 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 9l behind Must Be Keen (9-0) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Christian Bendix 9-1 (9-0) Soon in touch on wide outside, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Must Be Keen (9-0) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Dodaa (USA) 18-1 (8-7) Made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec beating Bold Love (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Estoille 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 12l behind Gifted Lass (9-3) at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Lucius Verrus (USA) 9-4fav (8-5) Lost place after 2f, headway over 1f out, kept on, no extra last 50 yards, 2nd of 10, hd behind Mill By The Stream (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) std.
Luloah 17-2 (8-0) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, never on terms, 4th of 8, 6l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-9) at Southwell 5f app clm (6) fbs.
Massey 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec beating Aboustar (8-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
Nevinstown (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Led, ridden over 4f out, headed over 2f out and soon weakened, last of 12, 19l behind Fairy Monarch (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m banded stk (7) gs in Oct.
Xpres Boy (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Chased leaders over 3f, 9th of 13, 14l behind Gifted Lass (9-3) at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Dancing Beauty (IRE) 28-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Rosa de Mi Corazon (8-6) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Obe Bold (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Went right start, with leader until weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Monte Major (11-5) at W'hampton 5f amt hcp (6) pol.
Yorkie 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 4l behind Midmaar (8-12) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
