chased leaders, effort over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, reminders halfway, never troubled leaders
towards rear and soon chased along, never dangerous
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, edged left under pressure and kept on final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong
towards rear and soon ridden along, some late headway but never reached challenging position
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, had every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
always rear division
Nonrunner
In what can only be described as a poor contest the vote reluctantly goes the way of VANATINA ahead of last time out winner Head To Head and the improved Nautical. The pick was a winner over course and distance last time in what was a worse contest than this. The form line from the contest is ok for a filly racing at this level and although up four pounds for the success she should cope. Head To Head was also successful here over distance last time and has been rewarded with a six pound penalty. The form from that last time out success is weak and while the penalty in itself might not stop him the burden of conceding weight all round just might. Nautical has started the New Year in good fashion with a couple of solid efforts at this circuit. Again the form from her last few outings is just ok but in this race it should be enough for some prize money. Mocha Java is constant enough to feature too but Vanatina is our arm twisted selection.
Head To Head (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, pushed along behind, chasing leaders over 2f out, led well over 1f out, all out, won at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs beating Jordi Roper (9-0) by a nk, 12 ran.
Straight Face (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Head To Head (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs.
Vanatina (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Made all, ridden over 2f out, held on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs beating Amber Moon (9-0) by a shd, 12 ran.
Nautical 10-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 12, 4l behind Charlotte Grey (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Mocha Java 4-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, switched right to challenge well over 1f out, soon ridden and every chance, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Highly Regal (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Flying Indian 50-1 (8-9) Chased leaders to halfway, 6th of 8, 11l behind Back In The Red (9-5) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs.
Dubai To Barnsley 7-1 (9-0) In touch, switched right over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 9l behind Mafaheem (9-7) at Great Leighs 6f sll (5) pol.
Majestic Cheer 11-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Charlotte Grey (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Orange Square (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Led stand's side group, headed 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 15, 8l behind Dalarossie (9-5) at Ripon 5f 3yo sll hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Bahamian Bay 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Vanatina (8-11) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.
Highland Song (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Pulled hard, pressed leader over 6f out, led over 4f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 11l behind The Grey One (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Disputed lead, ridden and close up over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Flamestone (9-0) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Royal Orissa 14-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 10, 7l behind Avoca Dancer (9-0) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan '08.
Rosie Cross (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up, chasing leaders when short of room and snatched up approaching 2f out, stayed on when clear final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 2l behind Sherjawy (9-0) at Kempton 6f stk (7) pol.
