tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
made all, shaken up over 1f out, forged clear final furlong
held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, looked dangerous, soon ridden, found little
awkward start, keen, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
tracked winner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
It might be worth giving SHADOWS LENGTHEN the chance to return from a well-earned rest in defiant fashion, with Profit's Reality and Trachonitis the pair most likely to pose a threat. Mick Easterby's charge won five races in under a month when last seen, the last of which coming off a mark of 77 over course and distance. He's had a near six-week break since and that may well have been needed, so with further progress entirely possible he's taken to defy a 7lb higher mark and complete the six-timer. Profit's Reality goes well here and should be suited by stepping back up to a mile and a half, but he's gone up another 4lb for taking second last time and that appears slightly harsh. Even so, Michael Attwater's gelding has two course and distance wins to his name and should make a valiant effort to defy top weight. Trachonitis is relatively unexposed on artificial surfaces despite being six, so despite a 10lb rise for his latest success appearing slightly harsh there may yet be more to come. That victory was a good one, with the second placed horse winning since, but against a couple of solid yardsticks he might have to settle for a place. Kingsdale Orion represents a yard going well but his record isn't an inspiring one and this looks too strong a contest for him to break his all-weather duck, so of more interest is My Friend Fritz whose four wins have all come here at Southwell. I'm In The Pink has been running consistently without looking like winning and is another who may find this a little warm, so we'll return to the red-hot Shadows Lengthen to make it six on the spin.
Profit's Reality (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, driven when challenged approaching final furlong, headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Full Toss (9-8) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Shadows Lengthen 4-9fav (10-2) Made all, ridden and challenged from 2f out, stayed on gamely towards finish, won at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs in Dec beating Stormy Summer (9-4) by nk, 6 ran.
Trachonitis (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway 4f out, went 2nd on bit over 1f out, eased ahead inside final furlong, hard held, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Desert Vision (9-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 14-1 (9-1) Dwelt, in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed from over 1f out, never trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Accompanist (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 3f out, effort 2f out, onepace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Rangefinder (9-10) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sep.
My Friend Fritz 16-1 (9-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on and every chance until no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Dart (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
