soon towards rear, widest of all entering straight, not much room on stands rail inside final furlong, never trouble leaders
led, hanging right from over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, not much room over 2f out, always towards rear
slowly into stride, held up, always in rear
always prominent, led well over 1f out, shaken up, ran on well
always prominent, challening well over 1f out, soon ridden, not quicken well inside final furlong
prominent, hard ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, switched left across track over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, not much room and switched right over 2f out, headway and edged right inside final furlong, ran on to take 2nd close home
prominent on outside, lost place over 3f out, hampered inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
The best race on the card this, standing out like a beacon on a gloomy afternoon, and it's ultra competitive with plenty having course and or distance winning form, but we'll side with one whose winning has been mainly on the slower surface at Southwell, and that's NIGHTJAR. Others to be considered though are Tamagin and Flowing Cape. We're taking a chance that Nightjar handles the surface better than previously, as he loves it at Southwell where he recently made it three from three. However, he's the only interest on the card for Mark Johnston and Greg Fairley and they do very well here. An improving sort, if handling the surface, expect him to go well. Kevin Ryan's got a good strike rate here too, and Tamagin with Jamie Spencer on board should relish the return to this sort of trip. Flowing Cape steps down in trip but up in grade after winning here last week, for which he's racing now under penalty. Along with Nightjar, he holds an entry for The Lincoln. Jeremy Gask's lightly raced Mrs Penny looks to have each way claims and may be a decent price for place backers, but to win, we'll side with Nightjar.
Orpsie Boy (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Benllech (8-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Tamagin (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Soon crossed over to lead and clear, ridden and reduced lead over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, kept on well to hold 2nd, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Capricorn Run (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Pawan (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In rear, soon bumped along, never near leaders, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Haajes (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (3) pol.
Nightjar (USA) 7-2 (8-4) Prominent, led approaching 1f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan beating Majuro (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Excusez Moi (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leading pair, effort over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, last of 4, 2 1/2l behind Grimes Faith (8-9) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, swished tail, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol beating Southandwest (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Orpenindeed (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Led, pressed 2f out, driven and one length clear over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Resplendent Nova (8-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Dvinsky (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Chased clear leader, driven over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Capricorn Run (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Mrs Penny (AUS) 3-1 (9-4) Held up, raced keenly, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan beating Count Ceprano (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Methaaly (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up, raced keenly, headway on inside 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Flowing Cape (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Carcinetto (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Led over 5f out, headed 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sir Nod (8-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
