took keen hold in touch, pushed along halfway, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, one pace final furlong
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
always behind, never a factor
chased leaders, effort when outpaced halfway, driven over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear and soon ridden along, never dangerous
pulled hard behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
took keen hold to settle behind leaders, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Cape Of Storms can breeze in ahead of Diriculous and Totally Free. Roy Brotherton's yard have been in cracking form of late and with two chances in this race, he has a chance of claiming this prize. Cape Of Storms is probably the pick of his pair on paper and with a couple of second placings in similar races to his name, it would be no surprise to see him pricing accordingly. Diriculous was a big price on his Kempton victory and its hard to understand why as the form of his debut has worked out particularly well. The market is watched to see if his stable fancy their chances. Totally Free does have an absence to overcome but he has gone well at this track in the past and seems to produce his running for today's rider. Cleveland drops back to six furlongs having tried over seven. The handicapper has had plenty of chance to take a look. Imperial Sword hasn't shown a lot of late but is nevertheless respected. Boy Dancer makes a debut for John Quinn having previously been under the care of David Barker. Soba Jones was entitled to have needed his first run last week and can be anticipated to have come on for it greatly. Cape Of Storms has had more than his fair share of chances but with his stable in such good form, he has more positives than most in this ordinary affair.
Cleveland 4-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 6l behind Haroldini (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Plateau 25-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened, 11th of 12, 7l behind Figaro Flyer (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Diriculous 4-1 (9-3) Close up, tracked leader over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on strongly under pressure, held on, won at Kempton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Nov beating Tyrannosaurus Rex (9-3) by a hd, 12 ran.
Totally Free 25-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 11l behind Smash N'Grab (8-13) at Leicester 7f 3yo clm (5) gs in Aug.
Imperial Sword 11-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden 4f out, edged left and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 8l behind Kensington (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Boy Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, never dangerous, 10th of 17, 11l behind Holiday Cocktail (9-2) at Carlisle 1m app hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Soba Jones 16-1 (8-11) Pulled hard behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Dickie Le Davoir (9-0) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
The Geester 12-1 (8-9) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Is It Time (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Dec.
Minimum Fuss (IRE) 50-1 (7-13) Dwelt and soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 12l behind Axis Shield (7-11) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Dec.
Cape of Storms 10-3 (8-8) Chased leaders, led 3f out, soon ridden, caught post, 2nd of 11, hd behind Silver Hotspur (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) std.
Blakeshall Quest 5-1 (8-6) Chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed final furlong, one pace, 4th of 11, 6l behind Mind Alert (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) std.
