in touch, ridden along over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
keen hold and was held up, headway on outer to lead well over 2f out, quickened clear and hung left over 1f out, ran on final furlong
held up in rear, brought wide and ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner
led steady pace, ridden along over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, no extra final furlong
took keen hold and held up behind leaders, pushed along over 4f out, effort when weakening over 1f out
Fly Free is the recommendation ahead of Kylkenny and Robustian. Michael Bell's charge performed at listed levels when trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld and having gone at the sales for 40000 guineas, connections will be looking for a quick return on investment. Kylkenny is a loveable old sort who is sure to give his running. He isn't quite the same horse he once was but he likes it around Southwell and can never be discounted. Robustian bids to add to the winners tally of new trainer, George Baker. He had fair form when with Eve Johnson Houghton and the market is watched. Jackie Kiely may have attracted the eye of the assessor off this current handicap mark. Rudry Dragon has yet to completely convince over today's trip. First To Call closed off last season with his best effort of the campaign and it is interesting that connections have opted to keep him an entire. Fly Free has raced in much better grade than this and if able to adapt to the Southwell surface, he is afforded the nomination.
First To Call 66-1 (9-2) Soon tracking leaders, 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Polish Power (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Fly Free 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 4l behind Kevkat (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f stk pol in Nov.
Robustian 16-1 (8-13) In touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Gulf Express (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept.
Jackie Kiely 16-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 4th of 9, 10l behind Tartan Tie (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Kylkenny 9-1 (8-0) In touch, led halfway, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Red Wine (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Rudry Dragon (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Suits Me (9-4) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Nov.
