prominent, not clear run and lost place well over 2f out, soon switched right, no impression on leaders when edged right inside final furlong
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up and behind, not clear run, bumped and squeezed through over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, tailed off
chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, comfortably
mid-division, came wide entering straight, no progress
mid-division, driven along 5f out, towards rear when badly hampered over 2f out
A chance is taken with Second Reef, who is selected ahead of Desert Lightning and Ballere, while Prince Vetori is another to note in the betting. Prince Vetori won a Southwell claimer in game fashion when he was last seen out - justifying solid market support in the process. This is only slightly tougher and, as he holds a live a chance of the best of his form, the Dennis Coakley-trained gelding is one to seriously consider. Desert Lightning is a lovable old rouge that should have won more races than the two measly successes to his name. However, he is great for an each-way punt and is capable of again making the frame at this level. However, he was comfortably behind Second Reef when they met here earlier in the month and Eric Alston's charge is fully expected to uphold the form today.
Desert Lightning (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 11, 5l behind Speagle (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Merdiff 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Joshua's Gold (9-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Second Reef 9-2 (9-3) Held up and pulled hard, not much room 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, soon hung left, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Speagle (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Danum 12-1 (9-0) Led early, chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 12, 13l behind Perez (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Jun.
Prince Vettori 3-1fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m mdn claim (7) fbs in Oct '05 beating Golden Square (8-11) by a nk, 14 ran.
Sonderborg 11-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind and outpaced, kept on final 2f, 5th of 14, 8l behind Formidable Will (9-0) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs.
Topiary Ted 4-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden halfway, one pace from 1f out, 6th of 11, 5l behind Guadaloup (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcap (6) fbs.
Cheviot Heights 20-1 (8-6) Held up, brief effort over 3f out, last of 8, 15l behind Gaelic Princess (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol.
