chased leaders, lost place 11f out, headway over 7f out, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on
prominent, led over 10f out, headed 3f out, regained lead over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, ridden over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, driven out
slowly into stride, headway over 10f out, went 2nd 9f out, every chance over 3f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
chased leaders, weakened over 8f out, tailed off
led, headed over 10f out, prominent until weakened quickly over 4f out, tailed off
There is very little between three of these at the figures, so our preference for DUNASKIN over Chocolate Caramel and Boundless Prospect is only marginal. Brian Ellison's 10-year-old takes a significant drop in grade here, having raced in some decent handicaps on the flat and over jumps lately. He's yet to score on artificial surfaces from 11 attempts but his second to Lucky Punt here shows the surface isn't a problem, and this drop to claiming company could do the trick. Chocolate Caramel rates the clear danger on the pick of his form, but he'd been off the track for over a year before returning in December. In two runs since, Richard Fahey's horse has shown little and he was a long way behind Dunaskin when they met in a handicap last time. It is interesting that connections are continuing with their charge though and if the market makes the right noises, it's not impossible to believe they could yet find a race like this for their eight-year-old. Boundless Prospect is something of a standing dish around here, having registered five course victories over a variety of trips. The last of those came in handicap company off a mark of 62 and although he disappointed off his revised mark after, this drop to claiming company might help the veteran bounce back. Little Carmela rates best of the rest, although the mare does have plenty to find on the figures and might be playing for a place at best. Stuart Williams' yard are in good form though so a market check is advised, whilst Zaffeu has plenty of course form in the past but hasn't looked to be a winner in waiting of late. Seaquel remains unexposed but fell last time and it remains to be seen if that incident has left its mark and with Matinee Idol the lowest rated runner on display today this looks best left to Dunaskin.
Dunaskin (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Led after 1f, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 14l behind Clear Reef (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Chocolate Caramel (USA) 18-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 11, 34l behind Clear Reef (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 5-1 (9-9) Close up, pushed along 4f out, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 5l behind Dan Buoy (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) fbs.
Zaffeu 16-1 (8-10) Mid-division, lost place 7f out, soon behind, 10th of 13, 36l behind Kings Maiden (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Little Carmela 8-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, hd behind Squirtle (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Matinee Idol 50-1 (8-9) Reminders after start, headway over 7f out, driven and lost place over 4f out, 7th of 9, 40l behind Wabbraan (8-6) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Seaquel 16-1 (8-4) In touch when fell after 2f, in a race won by Russian Music (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs, 11 ran.
