in touch, ridden and led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on
held up, ridden halfway, headway 3f out, ridden and led over 1f out, ridden out
behind, ridden 4f out, kept on from over 2f out, never dangerous
led 8f, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway to track leader 8f out, ridden and weakened over 4f out
pulled hard, close up, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
lost action, pulled up soon after start
tracked leader until 8f out, soon ridden and lost touch
The in-form Jonny Alljays gets the nomination over Bretton and Stravmour, who look the obvious dangers in this company. The latter is a versatile sort that has gone well here in the past. However, Reg Hollinshead's charge lacks a change of gears and needs everything to go his way. Bretton also has plenty of experience of the artificial surfaces and is a previous course and distance winner. The return to Southwell should help him and he is one for the short list for each-way players. Clara Hills is worth monitoring in the betting, as she drops into this grade for the first time. Still, she has a long absence to overcome and may be best watched on her All Weather debut. Which brings us back to Johnny Alljays, who is less exposed than most of the rest and, as he arrives here at the top of his game at present, he is expected to find the necessary turn of foot when it matters.
Stravmour 5-1 Held up, driven and headway over 3f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 10l behind Annakita at Southwell 1m 6f hcp fbs.
Bretton 20-1 In rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 11l behind Esperance at Lingfield 1m 2f stk pol in Mar.
Calara Hills 12-1 In touch until lost place 4f out, 12th of 13, 10l behind Prairie Sun at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (F) gf in May.
Johnny Alljays (IRE) 7-2fav Prominent and keen, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Lysander's Quest at W'hampton 2m 1f stk pol.
Late Arrival 4-1fav Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 16l behind Time Marches On at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (F4) frm in Sept.
Royal Session (IRE) 33-1 Very slow away, always behind, tailed off halfway, last of 14, well behind Romil Star at Southwell 1m 4f clm (F4) fbs in Nov.
Silver Rhythm 20-1 Mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened final 2f, 5th of 11, 26l behind Yenaled at Catterick 1m 4f app clm (F4) gs in Oct.
Tancred Imp 66-1 Behind from halfway, 15th of 18, 49l behind Spring Breeze at Catterick 2m hcp gd.