in touch, lost place over 5f out, weakened 3f out
keen early, held up behind, headway halfway, outpaced 6f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, never on terms
made all, hard pressed over 2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
mid-division, lost place over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, headway to chase winner over 4f out to 3f out, soon ridden and one pace
chased winner to over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway 5f out, went 2nd 3f out, challenged and every chance 2f out, kept on until ridden and one pace final furlong
mid-division, lost place over 5f out, soon weakened
SOUTHERN WATERS is the selection with Just John and Saga De Tercey the most pertinent dangers on paper. The selection hails from the well regarded Alan Swinbank team and while flat racing was probably on the agenda when he was conceived, the Sinndar gelding was sold off cheaply from the Gainsborough Stud. The flat's loss can be the jumper's gain. Just John is another for whom flat racing was a presumable option. He was sold for even less money so the market has to be watched. Saga De Tercey will be partnered by the infamous 10lb claimer Thomas Thompson. The rider was subject to a massive penalty from the stewards' on Ignotus in January 2008 so it is to be hoped that he does not catch their eye again. Grand Zouki did not make too much impression on debut but it would be folly to discount any George Moore runner in a contest of this nature. Kayaka put up a fair debut at this course though was disappointing at Huntingdon. That said, Paul Murphy has trained bumper winners so the market should be watched accordingly. A race where betting patterns rather than paper talk seem the most reliable barometer and we stick with Southern Waters.
Blue Dove 66-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch when hung right and ran out in race won by Avoine (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in Jul '07, 12 ran.
Froggy Lane 100-1 (10-9) Led, headed 5f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, well behind Lightening Rod (10-0) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gs in Feb.
Gunpoint (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 15, 35l behind Lightening Rod (10-0) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gs in Feb.
Just John Groom Dancer gelding out of Saffron Rose.
Polar Hawk Alflora horse out of Polar Belle.
Southern Waters (FR) Sinndar gelding, half-brother to 5f-7f winner Southern Queen.
Kayaka (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Prominent until ridden and weakened over 4f out, 7th of 9, 37l behind Kentucky Sky (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Threerockmountain (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, completely tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Financialregulator (11-12) at Thurles 2m ldy nhf hvy in Jan.
Avanos (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, 10th of 20, 28l behind Par Avion (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Best Point Best of The Bests gelding out of Johnson's Point.
Grand Zouki (FR) 28-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 36l behind Lightening Rod (10-0) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gs in Feb.
Saga de Tercey (FR) Sagacity colt out of Fanciulla Del West.
