mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
in touch when broken down and pulled up over 6f out
mid-division on outside, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never troubled leaders
held up behind, headway to chase leader 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
made most, quickened clear 3f out to over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up, steady headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
raced keenly, with leader, lost place over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
Perhaps one of the more competitive races on the card and our preference for MOONSHINE CREEK is a marginal one ahead of Eightdaysaweek and Silken Promise. Our selection won off a mark of 60 in December and ran well on his first try here when second last time. That effort behind a course specialist looks rock solid and if the gelding can improve for that first taste of Southwell then compensation may await although there are several with chances, of whom Eightdaysaweek is rated next best. This daughter of Montjeu has gained both of her career successes here and if her stamina lasts out over this longer trip she'll surely go close, having taken a narrow third last time. If she doesn't get home then Silken Promise may emerge as the biggest threat to our choice. Walter Swinburn's filly is 2lbs higher than when second last time but that won't be too much of a problem if she goes on this surface, which she should on paper at least. With further improvement highly likely from this lightly raced sort connections will be hopeful and their charge may well start favourite. Of the remainder Greenbelt is interesting with Hayley Turner up for the first time. Gary Moore's gelding ran reasonably well over fences last time and should arrive here ready to roll but we've doubts about this trip so oppose him this time, as we do Dream In Blue who has only twice been out of the frame on the flat but is perhaps a shade high in the weights here. Criterion is well worth a market check but without that guide Charging Indian is of slightly more interest as a course winner although once more this trip might stretch his stamina. Both Brave Maeve and Crimson Mitre have place claims if at their best and Shane Kelly is a strong booking for the former, but Moonshine Creek might get the run of the race here and can expose the stamina issues held by a few of these and land the spoils.
Dream In Blue 7-1 (8-10) Keen early, prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Trachonitis (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Crimson Mitre 4-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, challenged 4f out, led briefly over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 16l behind Boundless Prospect (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Moonshine Creek 3-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, challenged 4f out, led 3f out, soon headed, driven to regain lead 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Boundless Prospect (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Brave Mave 8-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 9th of 12, 26l behind Bosamcliff (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Charging Indian (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Soon behind and pushed along, looked not interested from 8f out, driven over 4f out, never a factor, 4th of 6, 9l behind Through The Forest (8-4) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Silken Promise (USA) 4-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Tyrana (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Greenbelt 9-2 (8-8) Raced wide throughout, held up, headway over 5f out, hard ridden on outside over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Ibrox (9-8) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct.
Eightdaysaweek 9-2 (8-0) Chased leaders, chased leader 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, driven and headed final strides and lost 2nd post, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Through The Forest (8-4) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Nayessence 11-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 16l behind Park's Prodigy (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
La Columbina 40-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 20l behind Boundless Prospect (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Criterion 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, outpaced over 6f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, no threat, 4th of 10, 8l behind Ours (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
