held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
disputed lead, hung left and led over 3f out, soon clear, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, soon ridden, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out
disputed lead, until hampered over 3f out, soon lost place
raced wide, held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden halfway, one pace final 2f
disputed lead, hampered over 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, outpaced halfway, stayed on final furlong
soon towards rear, some headway halfway, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, stayed on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Desert Fury is selected ahead of Crusoe and Tod Sloan in a race that has many pitfalls for punters to avoid. Thursday's return to winning ways for Pawn In Life being a major one to consider swerving. The Mark Polglase-trained gelding has never won two races on the bounce during his 61 previous starts and there has to be the suspicion that he is a prime candidate to throw in the towel once more. Tod Sloan, on the other hand, is far less exposed and is worth watching for signs of support on his Southwell debut. Robert Winston is a solid jockey booking for the ex-Irish four-year-old and a bold bid cannot be ruled out. Crusoe was behind Kumakawa on his penultimate start and obviously has his limitations. However, he does have a habit of running above himself when least expected and is a solid option to make the frame again today. Even so, slender preference is given to Desert Fury, who showed he is no back number yet by winning over course and distance a fortnight ago. This is a very similar level of competition and, as he has a liking for this track, Desert Fury looks the most reliable of a frustrating bunch on show.
Pawn In Life (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) std beating Dudley Docker (8-11) by 2l, 14 ran.
Desert Fury 10-1 (8-13) Held up and wide, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs beating Bold Phoenix (8-13) by a nk, 11 ran.
Kumakawa 22-1 (8-1) In touch, led well over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs beating Figurative (8-12) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Ballyrush (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Behind, not clear run, switched right inside final furlong, never nearer, 10th of 12, 6l behind Hello Roberto (8-12) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) pol.
Crusoe (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 6l behind Scuba (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Elms Schoolboy 14-1 (8-11) With leader until ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 18l behind Bold Phoenix (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol.
Paper Doll 8-1 (8-11) In touch when hampered over 6f out, lost place, never dangerous final 2f, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Young Kate (8-11) at Lingfield 1m banded stk (7) pol.
Queue Up 11-1 (8-11) Led until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 4l behind Revolve (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol.
