behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish
behind, headway over 1f out, soon one pace
outpaced, never dangerous
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead close home
led early, prominent, led over 1f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, soon lost place, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, held when short of room close home
dwelt, behind, switched right over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, effort on outside over 2f out, never on terms
held up, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
always behind
soon led, headed over 1f out, rallied and led again inside final furlong, edged left and headed last strides
chased leaders over 4f
Several of these lack experience of the course so only a tentative nomination goes to Harry Up, who showed signs of a revival last time and he can get the better of Hits Only Cash, High Ridge and Norcroft, who make the most appeal out of the remainder. Norcroft showed grim determination to win a claimer at Wolverhampton earlier in the month and should again run his race. However, he has never been the most consistent and, as this looks a tougher assignment, he looks opposable on balance. High Ridge will be making his Southwell debut this afternoon and may be best watched on this occasion. He does take his racing well, though, and it will be no surprise to see him back here in the near future if he proves his effectiveness on the track. Hits Only Cash is another that can pay his way again before too long. He is relatively unexposed and, as he handles cut in the ground on turf, he should not be too inconvenienced by the demands of this surface. However, Harry Up makes more appeal for a gamble on these terms. As a new recruit to the Kevin Ryan yard, he is now in the right hands to enjoy a fruitful campaign on the artificial surfaces and, as he has gone well fresh in the past, Harry Up is fancied to be a touch too lively for this lot today.
Pawan (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Maktavish (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) Mid-division until weakened over 3f out, 17th of 18, 20l behind Wyatt Earp (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft.
Harry Up 40-1 (8-11) Prominent on outside, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Reverence (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct.
Arctic Desert 8-1 (9-2) Slowly away, soon in touch, ridden, headway on outside 3f out, ridden, every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Dr Thong (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Norcroft 9-2jt-fav (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol beating Chilly Cracker (9-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Hits Only Cash 40-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 2l behind Pure Imagination (8-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
My Gacho (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Fyodor (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
High Ridge 33-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, outpaced, raced wide entering straight, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Fyodor (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
