made most, ridden over 2f out, ridden clear well over 1f out, stayed on
tracked winner, joined winner 5f out to over 2f out and ridden, kept on one pace
dwelt, outpaced, eased from over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon struggling, weakened 2f out
held up, ridden and outpaced halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, soon one pace
Shifty gets a tentative call over the likes of Majehar, Undeterred and Future's Dream. Just the seven runners have been declared for this class 5 handicap over a mile, but none appear to have a clear cut chance. With that in mind, only a modest vote is given to Shifty in his bid for a fifth course win. Declan Carroll's eight-year-old has been something of a permanent fixture round here since last summer, turning out 10 times in all with just the one win to show for his efforts. However, a change of tactics last time saw him nearly make all, and as he was only collared close home, a similar performance may be good enough. Majehar was taken wide at Lingfield last time, resulting in him losing ground but staying on at the finish. If kept nearer to the pace, he should go well, while Undeterred is a bit long in the tooth now and is paying his first visit to Southwell. Future's Dream has to give weight away to fitter opponents which puts him at a disadvantage, and so the pendulum swings back to Shifty.
Future's Dream 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 17, 32l behind Kinsya (9-2) at York 1m 1f hcap (4) sft in Oct.
Luckylover 11-2 (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 12l behind Bold Diktator (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Tyzack (IRE) 33-1 (7-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 10l behind Dichoh (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Undeterred 15-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, last of 8, 7l behind Zalkani (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Shifty 6-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 11, nk behind Ruffie (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Conrad 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on approaching final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Cerebus (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Majehar 11-4fav (8-11) Behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 3l behind Parkview Love (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.