held up, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression
made all, ridden well over 1f out, kept on well
towards rear, ridden and headway on inner over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, kept on same pace
refused to race
chased winner until 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, one pace final 2f
behind, effort on inner over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on
Nonrunner
Warden Warren, Dannabelle and Barsak look the three for the shortlist and we take a chance with Warden Warren. It is always difficult to take a view about banded stakes form versus handicaps but there was no fluke about Warden Warren's success success at Kempton. Still off a plater's mark, it is easy to like him at this level despite a modest win ratio and we are prepared to take a chance. Dannabelle was punted heavily ahead of her run at Lingfield so should not be discounted on this switch to Southwell. Barzak is better known at trips up to a mile so it was a surprise to some that he had enough speed to win over 6f last time out. The time may have flattered him greatly on that occasion as the track was running particularly quick. Bodden Bay won under an enterprising ride from Darryll Holland in a Leicester seller although his handicap form is far from spectacular. Howards Princess ran an eyecatcher last time out although she has been done few favours by the draw and might be best watched. Mission Affirmed is difficult to catch right and with Peter Grayson's yard managing to hit a few places, he could represent some value at the likely odds. Warden Warren has obvious claims off favourable terms and he secures the selection.
Howards Princess 12-1 (8-10) Dwelt and towards rear, switched left and headway halfway to race centre, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Alugat (8-12) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Millfields Dreams 10-1 (8-7) With leaders, led halfway, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 13, 2l behind Sincerely (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Bodden Bay 12-1 (8-10) Raced far side, made all, ridden clear over 1f out, driven out, won at Leicester 7f sll hcp (6) gs in Oct beating Bold Haze (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Piccolo Prince 9-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 9th of 22, 9l behind George The Best (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcap (6) hvy in Oct.
Mystic Queen (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Danish Blues (9-0) at Kempton 6f mdn clm (7) pol in Oct.
Barzak (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Oct beating Mister Jingles (8-8) by 2l, 14 ran.
Warden Warren 9-2 (9-0) Close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Kempton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Oct beating Binnion Bay (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Jennverse 2-1fav (9-6) Reared start, started slowly, behind, headway from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Warden Warren (9-0) at Kempton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
