soon led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, slightly hampered after 1f, ridden over 3f out, no danger
slowly into stride, always towards the rear
in rear, ridden over 2f out, some late headway
broke well, tracked leader, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride, ridden over 3f out, staying on when edged left under pressure from 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
broke well, soon lost place, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon behind
Alto Vertigo can hit the heights in the opener with Cornerstone and Eloquent Rose also making some appeal. Pat Haslam has won with four of his last five runners at the time of going to press and Alto Vertigo ran on well to win over course and distance last time, finishing three quarters of a length in front of Tanforan. The latter is weighted to reverse the form but has only won once in twenty four all-weather starts. Eloquent Rose has less obvious claims but should be all the better for her reappearance at Southwell; she's run well here in the past and has looked in need of a step up to this trip. Cornerstone has been off the track since July but Stuart Williams has his string in good order at present and this gelding showed improved form to win at Lingfield last time. Gilded Cove is on a winning mark and Kensington is also considered but the vote goes to Alto Vertigo.
Alto Vertigo 3-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to lead, kicked clear 2f out, soon hard ridden, tiring towards finish but held on, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Tanforan (8-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Tanforan 12-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, hung left 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Alto Vertigo (8-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Eloquent Rose (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, effort halfway, soon outpaced, last of 8, 14l behind Tag Team (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Gilded Cove 7-1 (8-11) Towards rear, not clear run 2f out, switched right soon after and stayed on, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Figaro Flyer (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Xpres Maite 10-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 10l behind Neardown Beauty (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
Green Pirate 4-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up, pushed along over 3f out, hung right over 2f out, no headway, 7th of 8, 10l behind Obe Royal (8-10) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol.
Kensington (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, improved 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec beating Dasheena (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Unlimited 33-1 (8-8) Mid-division, chased leader 2f out, shaken up and led over 1f out, driven out inside final furlong, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Royal Envoy (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bens Georgie (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Steadied start, chased leaders halfway, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 8l behind Muktasb (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Cornerstone 10-1 (8-2) Made virtually all, ridden 2f out, edged left and soon clear, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Carlitos Spirit (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Royal Embrace 12-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Emma Jean Lad (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Prince Rossi (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cabourg (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
