held up, ridden over 1f out, edged right to chase winner final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong
dwelt, outpaced, never a factor
chased leaders, driven halfway, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never on terms
slowly into stride and towards rear, driven and switched left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
Tag Team is the in-form horse of the event and is given the nap vote to account for the frustrating Sir Sandrovitch and the disappointing Colonel Cotton in this apprentice contest over 5f. Tag Team has passed through many a trainer's hands in recent seasons but John Harris seems to have him in prime form at the present time. The son of Tagula is now rated 63 - a massive drop from the 86 he was rated just two season's ago on the all-weather surface. Injuries have taken their toll but Tag Team was still good enough to foil a gamble on Dellagio when winning over course and distance on December 27, making all and staying on well despite his trainer's assertion that "he barely stays the minimum trip". He appears in another claimer - this time for ¿12,000 - and the race, though a little tougher, still looks within his capabilities. Throw in the best rider in the contest, namely Greg Fairley, and Tag Team looks worthy of a decent wager on a tricky Southwell card. Sir Sandrovitch has an awful win record, just two from 21 on the all-weather, and meets Tag Team on the same terms as when he was beaten two lengths in that claimer last month. A defeat has since followed at Wolverhampton and, unless the smaller field and the better draw make the difference, a placing once more looks the logical outcome. Colonel Cotton is another on the decline but his impossibly-high handicap mark - he is still rated 82 despite not having won since October 2003 - means that David Nicholls is forced to run the 7-y-o in claimers. He is in for a tag of ¿12,000 and has the visor back on after a promising run against Soba Jones on his comeback run in a handicap 10 days ago after a four-month break. Any market moves should be noted, but a confident tick is applied to the name of Tag Team.
Maktavish 17-2 (8-9) Disputed lead 3f, faded, 12th of 13, 11l behind Ok Pal (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Native Title 10-3 (9-7) Dwelt, behind, headway and raced wide over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten, 9th of 10, 13l behind Soba Jones (8-6) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Colonel Cotton (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Behind, never nearer, 7th of 10, 9l behind Soba Jones (8-6) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Orchestration (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 11, 2l behind Hollow Jo (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Tag Team (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Dec beating Dellagio (8-7) by a nk, 14 ran.
Larky's Lob 11-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, edged right and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 13l behind Paso Doble (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Sir Sandrovitch (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-1) Held up mid-division, effort on inside 2f out, ridden 1f out, ran on to be nearest finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind El Potro (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Little Biscuit (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Switched right to lead stands' side after 1f, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Tartatartufata (9-4) at Catterick 5f 3yo hcp (6) sft in Apr.
