close up, joined leader 2f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, soon edged right, ran on
tracked leader, joined leader 8f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
steady start, held up in last place, ridden and headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on to be moderate 3rd
dwelt, keen held up in touch, switched right over 2f out, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on one pace
led, joined 8f out, ridden over 3f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
The equine equivalent of a BAGS race and Starcross Maid is the recommended play against Dark Charm and Mid Valley. The six-year-old put up a bold show against Yakimov in a claimer at the track a couple of weeks ago and whilst it is dangerous to take claiming form literally when assessing handicaps, a repeat of that performance should suffice. Dark Charm represents a combination that are in form. Form on the surface is not there but the handicapper appears to be loosening his grip of late. Mid Valley has ran well here in the past with a win and place to his name in two recent starts. He seems to go well for JP Guillambert although today David Probert claims seven. The King And I makes his first foray to Southwell having raced exclusively at Wolverhampton of late. Kingoftheswingers is moderate. Not a race to spend too long over and Starcross Maid gets the nod.
The King And I (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 12l behind Motarjm (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Dark Charm (FR) 10-1 (8-13) Soon tracking leader, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Climate (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f app clm (6) pol.
Starcross Maid 8-1 (10-1) Raced wide, held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 12, 12l behind Shenandoah Girl (10-2) at Southwell 1m 4f amt clm stk (6) gd.
Mid Valley 6-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden well over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 9th of 14, 5l behind Granary Girl (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Kingoftheswingers (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Medieval Maiden (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.