in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
prominent, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
soon pushed along in mid-division, weakened halfway
ridden along soon after leaving stalls, outpaced, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden after 2f, kept on final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced
chased leader, ridden halfway, kept on one pace from over 1f out
reared start, mid-division, ridden after 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden after 2f, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, outpaced
A desperate affair in which HEAD TO HEAD is the pick ahead of Albero Di Guida and Thoughtsofstardom. Admittedly, Head To Head does not win often but he is not alone in that regard. That said, he has won previously on this surface and has lots of early pace to play with. Albero Di Guida was formerly trained in Italy though had been vastly overestimated by the BHA assessor. The six month absence is a worry but he has scored on six occasions on artificial surfaces in the past. Thoughtsofstardom gets on particularly well with today's rider and can be anticipated to be thundering home latest of all. Ursus was a tad disappointing on his first run at Southwell so the jury is out on this occasion. Desert Dust was a modest but capable sprinter a few seasons ago. Were there to be money around this afternoon, it should not be ignored. Golden Dixie has tumbled down the weights to a spectacular level. There has been plenty of evidence on the racecourse to suggest why that is the case but if he consents to cooperate with his rider, he could be very well treated. Steel Mask has had fewer chances to fail than most and is an interesting participant. Handsinthemist looked to have gone off the boil somewhat during summer so the road back begins here. Not a race that will live too long in the memory and Head To Head is the most unconvincing of arguments to score.
Golden Dixie (USA) 25-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 3f out, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Danum Dancer (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Albero di Giuda (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on outer, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 14l behind Avoca Dancer (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Jun.
Thoughtsofstardom 7-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Triskaidekaphobia (8-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
King's Sabre 18-1 (8-7) Held up, kept on over 1f out, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Grudge (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Ursus 14-1 (8-13) In touch, effort 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind First Swallow (8-13) at Southwell 5f Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) fbs in Nov.
Handsinthemist (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, blundered and weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Obe Gold (9-7) at Catterick 5f clm stks (6) sft in Jul.
Head To Head (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Spinning Bailiwick (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Steel Mask (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders, 7th of 13, 8l behind Admiral Bond (9-0) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec '08.
Tenancy (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, not much room on inside over 4f out, ridden and weakening when edged right over 1f out, 8th of 12, 12l behind Punching (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Woodcote (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, last of 11, 5l behind Elusive Ronnie (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Desert Dust 12-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Danum Dancer (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Singapore Girl 33-1 (8-12) Driven along halfway, always outpaced, 10th of 12, 17l behind Evna (8-5) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jul.
