prominent for 3f
in touch, pushed along halfway, driven, one pace final furlong
made all, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, soon chased along, driven over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
always rear division
Maltese Falcon is selected ahead of Moorhouse Lad and Harry Up. Paul Cole's runners during the winter are always to be respected and while this is his first try around Southwell, he should have enough class to dispose of these rivals. Moorhouse Lad ran a solid enough race last time out and was backed to do so. He remains an interesting prospect during the winter. Harry Up won decisively at Kempton although he has scarcely set the world alight when tried previously at this track. Pieter Brueghel is probably better over further. Graze On is on a losing run and is best watched until there is evidence of a return to form. The remainder are fair performers in their grade but this is not it. Maltese Falcon looks to have the ability to land prizes of this nature but backers are asked to gamble as to whether he handles the surface or not.
Maltese Falcon 7-2fav (9-0) Keen, led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Areyoutalkingtome (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Harry Up 17-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec beating Talbot Avenue (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Moorhouse Lad 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led briefly well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Stoneacre Lad (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcap (3) fbs in Dec.
Pieter Brueghel (USA) 11-2 (9-2) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Connect (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Graze On 6-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, hampered 3f out, effort and not clear run over 1f out, not recover, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Harry Up (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Pawan (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Stoneacre Lad (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcap (3) fbs in Dec.
Glenviews Youngone (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 16, 7l behind Sierra Vista (9-3) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Skip of Colour 10-1 (10-4) Held up, hampered over 3f out, headway 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 12, 4l behind dhtrs Gilded Cove (10-3) & Marko Jadeo (11-2) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Dec.