THORPE BAY (NAP) won last year's renewal and went close again off today's higher mark when third over 6f here earlier in the month. He can confirm running with last year's third Sir Geoffrey and gets the vote. Both Oscars Journey and Rambo Will won at Nottingham earlier but the latter, Six Wives and Indian Tinker all finished behind third-placed Shawkantango over track and trip last time. Pensax Lad won off today's mark at this venue last year and may prove best of the rest.
Indian Tinker 5-1 (9-6) Dwelt, outpaced, 12th of 13, 8l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Thorpe Bay 9-2 (9-0) In touch in rear, wide into straight over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Razin' Hell (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Pensax Lad (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Slowly away, raced wide pulled hard in rear, hampered entering final 3f, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Scoreline (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5).
Rambo Will 8-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden halfway, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Monarch Maid 2-1fav (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Johnny Splash (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Six Wives 33-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 6l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Shawkantango 16-1 (8-12) Slowly away, outpaced and behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Oscars Journey 6-1fav (9-3) Pressed leader, ridden 2f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead close home, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct beating Rylee Mooch (9-3) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Bapak Bangsawan 66-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Simply Black (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Invincible Ridge (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) in Nov.
Rylee Mooch 5-1 (9-6) Slow into stride raced wide prominent over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Captain Scooby (8-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Nov.
