held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong
in rear, from well over 3f out, headway well over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch when hampered 5f out, hampered and lost place well over 3f out, soon behind, virtually pulled up
pulled hard, prominent, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, led just over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
soon led, headed over 5f out, losing place when switched right well over 3f out, soon fell
slowly into stride, held up and behind, brought down well over 3f out
led early, remained prominent, ridden to lead again over 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
The selection here is Louisiade ahead of Shava and maybe Blakeshall Boy. Shava' s Lingfield six-furlong win last time has since been boosted by the win of the runner-up and, even though he is stepping up in trip, he has to be afforded respect in this race. Louisiade is now rated two pounds below his course and distance win of April 2005 and recent Southwell efforts have not been too bad. A return to today's surface can only help the cause further and he gets the call. Grafton has become disappointing but is undoubtedly well-weighted based on his February 2006 course and distance win. Much as it may seem slightly left field but Blakeshall Boy showed more than his finishing position might literally suggest on his first run following a long absence last time and, well-weighted on his best form of the last three years, he could go well. Finally, Oakbridge could be interesting as he ran well last time on his first run for a while and he is now fitted with first-time blinkers. Once again, though, the selection is Louisiade.
Diamond Katie (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Behind, ridden halfway, never a factor, 8th of 12, 3l behind Cayman Breeze (8-8) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Shava 9-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway and hung left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f banded stk (7) pol in Dec beating Charlottebutterfly (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kahlua Bear 14-1 (8-10) Always in rear, 12th of 15, 10l behind Turibius (9-1) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sept.
Louisiade (IRE) 9-2 (8-3) Dwelt, soon pushed along towards rear, headway over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Wodhill Gold (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Dexileos (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Freda's Choice (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Oakbridge (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Soon chasing leaders, edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2l behind Claws (9-5) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
Seldemosa 25-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 19l behind Golden Spectrum (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Barry The Brave 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led halfway, hung right and headed over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Capital Lass (9-1) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.