led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and rallied, every chance approaching final furlong, gradually weakened
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
outpaced and behind, eased 2f out
with leader, led over 2f out, soon hard driven, headed inside final furlong, no extra
outpaced and behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out
in touch, hard ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
A weak handicap and whilst HARD BALL is not one for the mortgage he should still see off Nabeeda and Mojeerr if in the same mood as when last seen. Mick Quinn's son of Pivotal won nicely from Royal Keva a month ago and he seemed to revel on this surface. A 3lb higher mark looks manageable and from a good draw he is taken to prevail. Mr Fantozzi is dropping down the weights and can contest a 0-52 handicap for the first time, Nabeeda has a solid record at the track without winning, whilst Mojeerr has some solid form to his name, especially his third to Sircozy. Artesium tries the blinkers, Megalo Maniac is out of form, whilst Mister Incredible looks to be nicely-handicapped if getting it all together. An open race, where Hard Ball can triumph.
Mr Fantozzi (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Hint Of Honey (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Nabeeda 11-4fav (8-12) Prominent, went 2nd well over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Jul's Lad (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-52 (6) fbs.
Hard Ball 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec beating Royal Keva (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mojeerr 16-1 (8-7) Pushed along in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind King of Rhythm (9-0) at Southwell 7f stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Dec.
Megalo Maniac 12-1 (8-1) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 17l behind Dontuwishitwereso (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Bicksta 22-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 5th of 9, 9l behind Miss Bootylishes (8-9) at Southwell 1m clm stks (6) fbs.
Eyesore 250-1 (8-9) With leaders, ridden to join leader and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 11l behind King of Rhythm (9-0) at Southwell 7f stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Dec.
Artesium 11-1 (8-1) Keen early, prominent, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Mocha Java (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Mister Incredible 9-2 (8-6) Held up mid-division, hard ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 14, 7l behind Outer Hebrides (8-5) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (7) fbs in May.