prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f, driven and kept on final furlong
towards rear, soon ridden along, never dangerous
soon led, ridden over 2f, driven when headed over 1f, edged left entering final furlong, rallied close home
prominent, ridden along over 5f, soon beaten
chased leaders to halfway
dwelt and towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f
always rear division
prominent, ridden along over 5f, soon beaten
mid-division, reminders halfway, never troubled leaders
CLEAR SAILING, Boundless Prospect and Blue Sky Thinking stand out in this field on official ratings and should provide the winner of this claimer; our suggestion is the first named. The Selkirk gelding won a Nottingham handicap over ten furlongs in August but was dropped back to a mile for his first run at this track last month. He ran out a seven length winner of that seller and was duly purchased for 7,000 gns. He has joined a yard that does well with its acquisitions and can give them a quick dividend. Boundless Prospect was back in third on that occasion but has a big swing in the weights so can be fancied to give the selection something to think about this time around. Blue Sky Thinking has an excellent strike rate but is coming back from a break and having his first run here which could bring Transmission into play as Brian Smart's charge hasn't run too badly in handicaps at the track the last twice. Ready preference though is for Clear Sailing.
Transmission (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Blue Sky Thinking (IRE) 13-8 (9-2) Held up and keen, headway to join leaders on outside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace when hit on nose by rivals whip, 4th of 7, 6l behind Lucayan Dancer (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol in Mar.
Clear Sailing 4-1 (9-1) Made virtually all, quickened clear over 2f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec beating Yakimov (9-7) by 7l, 11 ran.
Pembo 14-1 (8-10) Tracked leader to 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, no chance when eased over 1f out, last of 13, 19l behind Copper King (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Mid-division, soon pushed along, weakened final furlong, 12th of 13, 11l behind Blue Empire (9-5) at Southwell 7f sll (6) gf in Apr.
Mays Louise 80-1 (8-7) Towards rear, hampered after 1f, never a factor, 10th of 11, 28l behind Stargazy (8-7) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 7-2 (9-2) Started slowly and behind, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Clear Sailing (9-1) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec.
High Five Society 33-1 (8-5) Soon led, driven when headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 10l behind Barataria (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Redeemed 50-1 (8-2) In rear, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 11l behind Came Back (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
I'm Agenius 100-1 (8-8) In touch, went 2nd 5f out until 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 37l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Shortwall Lady (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) In rear, lost touch final 3f, 4th of 6, 32l behind January (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
