tracked leaders, chased winner over 4f out, clear with winner from over 3f out, ridden to challenge winner 2f out, no impression final furlong
made all, clear with 2nd from over 3f out, pressed from 2f out, ridden and stayed on gamely
held up in rear, close enough, ridden and weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, tracked winner until ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
raced in last place, pushed along 8f out, soon behind, tailed off final 6f
in touch, ridden over 4f out, plugged on, no chance with leading pair
It will be interesting to see how Peter Niven's James Junior gets on coming back after a long absence having not been seen for 526 days but this really looks to be little more than a match between DUNASKIN and Dream In Blue, with preference for the former. The selection has found two too good in each of his last four starts in claimers here over a variety of trips but dropped into a seller, Brian Ellison's gelding has an obvious chance and he gets the vote to resume winning ways. Davana has shown some signs of ability but looks booked for a place at best. Kirkhammerton is another coming back from a long absence and looks best watched, while Rony Dony needs to improve on all known form to get involved in the finish. Jeremy Glover's Dream In Blue won a handicap here last month and lost no caste in defeat in a claimer here won by Boundless Prospect earlier this month when having Dunaskin just behind him. Brian Ellison's gelding has a decent pull at the weights with Dream In Blue on their running in that race though and he can reverse that form and resume winning ways.
Dream In Blue 10-3 (9-0) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Boundless Prospect (8-8) at Southwell 1m 6f clm stks (6) fbs.
Dunaskin (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Led after 1f, ridden 2 lengths clear 3f out, headed and slightly hampered over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Doubnov (9-12) at Southwell 1m 4f clm stks (6) fbs.
Fan Club 50-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, in touch, headway on outside to chase leaders 7f out, ridden 4f out, weakened and behind final 3f, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Sarah's Boy (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Rony Dony (IRE) 40-1 (7-12) Soon pushed along towards rear, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 29l behind Kipchak (8-8) at Lingfield 7f Claimer (0-75) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan.
James Junior 100-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 12, 16l behind Ubi Ace (8-11) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) sft in Sep '08.
Davana 8-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mediterranean Sea (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) fbs.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, led briefly over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 8, 24l behind Ming Vase (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs in Mar '08.
