hampered start, soon led, made rest, driven 2f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, held on under pressure final furlong
went left start, tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, just held
behind, headway and effort over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression from over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened final furlong
with leader, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, behind, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, no impression with leading pair
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace and no impression when rider dropped whip over 1f out
A low-grade handicap that may turn into a match between The Love Guru and KNIGHTFIRE with the last-named preferred. Walter Swinburn's gelding improved on three average runs in maidens when second on his handicap debut and he followed that up with another good second last time. On both occasions the horse looked the likely winner before being found out by the seventh furlong and so today¿s drop in trip can prove a winning move. The second of those efforts was here at Southwell and so there are no concerns about the surface so the horse rates a strong fancy ahead of The Love Guru. Jim Boyle's charge ran well when second last time having been bumped up 10lbs for victory prior to that. With the able Matthew Davies helping ease the burden with his 5lb claim it would be no surprise to see this course and distance winner land the finale but we feel he'll just struggle to handle our pick. The rest look to be playing for places but best of them might be Whitby, who has been apprentice ridden since a disappointing favourite on debut and perhaps that's a sign that connections expect better today so the market needs to be watched with regards that one and Charlottesometimes who makes her handicap and surface debut but it might well bring about some improvement. At this stage though Lady Brickhouse is of more interest than the last mentioned horse, having been dropped down to a lowly perch of 46 for this. She could run a nice race at a price but victory looks beyond her, as it does Clayton Flick whose jockey is very inexperienced. The others look held and the more we look at the race the more confidence in our selection Knightfire increases.
The Love Guru 11-4fav (8-11) With leader, led over 4f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Flow Chart (9-0) at Southwell 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Knightfire (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Close up, chased leader over 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Tealing (9-2) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Clayton Flick (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Lord Victor (8-11) at Southwell 7f 2yo sell stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Charlottesometimes (USA) 16-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced halfway, last of 6, 10l behind Royal Blade (8-4) at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn aut (4) gd in Jul.
Lets Move It 33-1 (7-12) Not much room after 1f, soon outpaced, struggling badly over 2f out, last of 10, 27l behind Wanchai Whisper (8-7) at Kempton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Baby Judge (IRE) 100-1 (8-6) Reared start, behind, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 7, 5l behind Anjomarba (8-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs.
Lady Brickhouse 14-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Flow Chart (9-0) at Southwell 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Whitby (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, but not far away, improved over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Right Grand (9-3) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
