keen, tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor
held up in touch, took closer order halfway, ridden along over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f, took 2nd close home
led, ridden 3 lengths clear over 2f out, headed and no extra approaching 1f out
keen, held up, smooth headway to chase leader 2f out, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, ran on
There was little between Dunaskin and BOUNDLESS PROSPECT when they met last time, but we fancy the form will be confirmed in this similar contest. David Evans' runner is a pound better off with Dunaskin despite having finished ahead of him when scoring last time. That race was over a furlong further but neither will be compromised by this step back down in trip, with Boundless Prospect sided with on the grounds that a strict reading of that race makes him the one to beat and yet the market may disagree. Dunaskin is clearly the main threat to our pick for reasons mentioned and it's far from inconceivable that he'll reverse that form. Brian Ellison's charge hasn't yet won on artificial surfaces, but at these weights he's likely to be involved in the shake-up and will doubtless attract plenty of support. At these weights course and distance winner Friends Hope must have solid claims, but her recent form figures are less than inspirational. In fairness though, her last run was her first for some time so it'll be interesting to see whether the market suggests that better is to be expected here. My Mate Mal would appear the stable second-string and looks up against it at these weights, so although he does look to hold Friends Hope on recent running we're confident that form can be overturned, Plum Mac has looked decidedly modest in bumpers and Ivestar has it all to prove having been tailed off over hurdles on his first run for over a year back in October. This is a weak claimer in which two should dominate, and we hope Boundless Prospect emerges best of that pair.
Dunaskin (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, lost place 11f out, headway over 7f out, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Boundless Prospect (8-10) at Southwell 1m 6f clm stks (6) fbs.
Ivestar (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Held up in rear, pushed along and reminders over 5f out, soon beaten, last of 4, well behind Tajweed (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in May '08.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 4-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, driven out, won at Southwell 1m 6f clm stks (6) fbs beating Chocolate Caramel (9-7) by hd, 7 ran.
My Mate Mal 6-1 (9-9) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Dream In Blue (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Plum Mac 50-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Ballybriggan (10-13) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Friends Hope 2-1fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Dream In Blue (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs in Dec.
