slowly into stride, in rear and pushed along, ridden and edged right over 2f out, headway final furlong, ran on to take 3rd towards finish, not reached front pair
led, took keen hold, headed over 4f out, remained pressing winner, every chance throughout final furlong, kept on
held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, eased final furlong
chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong
prominent, short of room briefly over 5f out, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
prominent, pulled hard, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Mel Brittain's MOZAYADA enjoyed a purple patch here at this time last year and he's weighted to get back on top again and is our selection ahead of Elusive Flame while Jonnie Skull might be value for the places in this seven furlong handicap The selection had a run of five wins from six starts here last winter with the latest coming under a two pound heavier load. He also scored on the turf during the summer and has ran well in defeat back at this track the last twice while hinting this step down in trip will be ideal. Elusive Flame also goes well at this venue and only just failed to hang on over course and distance last time. He's up a couple of pounds for that outing but should still be capable of a good challenge. Jonnie Skull is a reliable sort who found just an inform animal a neck too good when racing under a penalty two starts back. He was a little disappointing off this rating behind the re-opposing Elusive Flame and Follow The Flag on his latest outing but he still looks set for an assault on the minor honours. Follow The flag got the better of Elusive Flame on that last run so is also on the list but in a typically tight race for the venue Mozayada can get back on top.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Elusive Fame (8-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Snow Bay 6-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 25l behind Imprimis Tagula (7-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Dec.
Bel Cantor 7-2 (8-11) Close up, ridden halfway, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Nickel Silver (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Prohibition (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Held up, outpaced 3f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 14l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Mozayada (USA) 5-4fav (9-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden, headed inside final furlong, every chance until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Avertis (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Ravi River (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Pegasus Again (9-4) at Lingfield 1m Handicap in Dec.
Elusive Fame (USA) 5-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) With leader, led 3f out to over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
