chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up, headway to track leaders 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened halfway
slowly away, in rear, ridden halfway, never near leaders
chased winner until halfway, ridden and soon weakened
made all, clear over 1f out, ridden out
awkward start, chased leaders, ridden halfway, edged left and weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden to chase winner halfway, driven inside final furlong, just held onto 2nd place
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Fizzlephut seems to reserve his best for Wolverhampton and Punching will run a good race but preference is for COLORUS. The Night Shift gelding went very close here last time and has been dropped 2lbs since. It is a long time since he won but he has run some very good races in defeat in the interim and this is his best trip. If he can reproduce that latest effort then today might finally be his day. Fizzlephut also races over his optimum trip and there is no reason why he can't go close, but a good look at his form suggests that this slower ground perhaps just takes the sting out of him and Wolverhampton's Polytrack just suits a little better. Punching would be potential selection material here if this were over 6f, but he doesn't quite seem to have the toe for this short. This One's For Pat likes it here and will be much happier now dropped back from being tried over a mile last time, so he can go close. Russian Rocket likes it here and there is every chance he can get competitive, though this mark is high enough, and we'll side with Colorus.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Always behind, last of 13, 31l behind Invincible Lad (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Punching 13-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, effort when carried left from over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Calmdownmate (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
The Bear 16-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, 14th of 19, 9l behind Haajes (9-5) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Weet A Surprise 15-2 (9-0) Always rear division, 10th of 13, 12l behind Invincible Lad (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Replicator 8-1 (8-12) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Back In The Red (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Colorus (IRE) 6-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced halfway, headway to have every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Grimes Faith (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders and keen, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb beating Admiral Bond (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Guto 28-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, soon ridden along, led over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Grimes Faith (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Grudge 12-1 (9-4) Went left start, chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 18, 5l behind Ingleby Star (8-8) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
This Ones For Pat (USA) 4-1fav (9-8) Took keen hold behind leaders, effort when outpaced over 3f, one pace final 2f, 8th of 14, 11l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Rocketball (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-0) With leaders, chased clear leader over 3f out, driven over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Argentine (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
