in touch, effort over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, was headed approaching final furlong, rallied to regain lead well inside, kept on
dwelt and towards rear, smooth headway 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden when outpaced halfway, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, effort when weakening 2f out
prominent, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
always rear division
Woodhill Schnaps is given preference to Komreyev Star and Shifty where moderate is an understatement when assessing the event. Not the most frequent of winners, Woodhill Schnaps does go well for Hayley Turner and on the evidence of a most recent run on the fibresand, this could just be career win number three. Komreyev Star has yet to post a win on the all-weather but performaces have been fairly consistent, the most notable when finishing second in a similar event at Wolverhampton in December. Course form is a huge asset around Southwell though and Komreyev Star is a negative on that score. Shify has more mileage on the clock than any of these but is an admirable performer nonetheless. A winner four times on the fibresand, Jedd O'Keeffe's charge can be taken to be thereabouts. Abbeygate has been beaten favourite on his last three outings and a win is inevitable in the near future. However our vote goes to Woodhill Schnaps.
Shifty 15-2 (8-2) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 10l behind Montemayorprincess (8-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Komreyev Star 7-1 (8-9) Led, soon headed, stayed prominent, until ridden 2f out, one pace, 5th of 10, 2l behind Moonlight Fantasy (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Wodhill Schnaps 22-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Haroldini (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Fuel Cell (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind dhtrs Takes Tutu (9-4) & Majehar (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Raven Rascal 40-1 (7-11) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 15l behind Skye But N Ben (8-10) at Redcar 1m 3f 3yo clm (6) gd in May.
Abbeygate 10-3fav (9-0) Behind, headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, just outpace by winner close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Future Deal (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Pawn In Life (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon no impression, 8th of 11, 6l behind Epidaurian King (9-6) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Steel Grey 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place 4f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Epidaurian King (9-6) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Knickyknackienoo 66-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, last of 13, 27l behind Ochre (11-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Cape Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 12, 14l behind Wodhill Gold (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Reflective Glory (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Led, reminders and headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 26l behind Satindra (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
First Frost 200-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, reminders early, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 42l behind Ful of Grace (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gs in Oct.
