towards rear, effort halfway, some late headway but never reached challenging position
prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
held up mid-division, headway 2f out, driven over 1f and ran on final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened final furlong
started slowly, always behind
led, ridden and headed over 3f, weakened approaching final furlong
prominent, driven to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
in touch, led over 3f, headed over 1f, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
started slowly, soon prominent, driven over 2f, weakened over 1f
held up behind leaders, headway on inner over 2f out, led over 1f, ran on final furlong
chased leaders, effort halfway, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden along halfway, never trouble leaders
NASTRELLI is comfortably the best in at the weights here and is taken to score from Elusive Warrior. The selection was sent off at 20/1 on his most recent run, his first for trainer David Barron, in handicap company. The handler now drops him into a claimer and steps him back up to 7f, a trip over which he won his only race in his native Ireland, and it can pay dividends. Elusive Warrior likes it here, having recorded an impressive six course and distance wins in his time, the latest of which came last month. He has to find around half a stone with the selection but his task is far from impossible. Varadouro was a winner here over 6f last time but looked to lack the stamina for this trip when last tried and has a bit to prove on that basis. World Of Choice is worth considering. Trainer Mick Easterby has taken charge of the gelding since his last run, for Godolphin, 13 months ago. That day he finished three lengths adrift of Colony who is now rated in the 90s, so if he is over whatever has ailed him then he could get heavily involved in a race of this nature and money for him would be very interesting. Ballycroy Boy has won a couple of 6f claimers here this year but is not as effective over today's trip and we are happy to take him on at these weights. Copperbottomed would have a squeak on his best form but he is out of sorts at present and preference is for Nastrelli.
Ballycroy Boy (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden along over 3f, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 9l behind Elusive Warrior (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 2l behind Kay Two (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Nastrelli (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 5l behind Irish Pearl (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Varadouro (BRZ) 6-5fav (9-12) With leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, ridden to lead line, won at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Jul beating Swinbrook (9-8) by a hd, 13 ran.
World of Choice (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched left 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Colony (9-3) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct '07.
Flying Applause 16-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed 6f out, soon lost 2nd, ridden and struggling entering straight, 6th of 8, 18l behind Colourways (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Dancing Deano (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f, 7th of 8, 12l behind Smarty Socks (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 15-8fav (9-4) Led, headed after 2f and remained in touch, edged right under pressure 2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Smarty Socks (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Mystic Roll 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, every chance 1f out, faded, 4th of 12, 2l behind Kingsholm (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Royal Applord 14-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on under pressure, 6th of 16, 7l behind Dancing Maite (8-11) at Leicester 7f clm (5) gs in Oct.
Another Genepi (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Towards rear, driven and headway over 1f, one pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Cool Sands (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Copperbottomed (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, 22l behind Dancing Maite (8-11) at Leicester 7f clm (5) gs in Oct.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Bazguy (9-3) at Great Leighs 6f sll (6) pol.
Highland Relish 25-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 29l behind Cara's Request (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) hvy in Oct.
