held up, headway on outer to chase winner well over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed 3f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon pushed along towards rear, headway over 3f out, one pace
chased leader, led 3f out, clear well over 1f out, eased towards finish
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong
Legal Lover, Golden Spectrum amd Wodhill Gold catch the eye here and Legal Lover gets the vote to make up for a couple of near misses. Golden Spectrum won decisively at Wolverhampton last time but had been running poorly before that, hence his starting price of 40-1. It is taking a chance to assume he can reproduce that display given his previous efforts as there seemed no logical explanation for the improvement so he is passed over. In contrast, Wodhill Gold has been the epitome of consistency, having been placed in four of his last five starts, including when a close second over this course and distance last time. He looks sure to go well again but may just find one too good again. Legal Lover won over this course and distance four outings ago and has been running creditably since, finishing second here last time after pulling hard early on. Legal Lover looks the safest selection in a competitive contest.
Tour d'Amour (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Soon led, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 15l behind Jordan's Light (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
Legal Lover (IRE) 5-2fav (8-8) Pulled hard, prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Vibrato (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Golden Spectrum (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Held up, headway 2f out, led final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Grand Palace (8-9) by 2l, 13 ran.
Stolen Summer (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) With leaders over 5f, 12th of 14, 33l behind Jordan's Light (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
True West (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, soon edged left, weakened final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Scutch Mill (9-1) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Weet For Ever (USA) 14-1 (8-2) Soon led, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Rebellious Spirit (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Louisiade (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-1) Always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed post, 2nd of 11, shd behind Paso Doble (8-13) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Wodhill Gold 15-2 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Granakey (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Pawn In Life (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 30l behind Tee Jay Kassidy (9-2) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Steel Grey 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along and behind, never nearer, 7th of 10, 12l behind Le Chiffre (8-8) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Nov.
