Verdict

METAL GURU has been holding her form well and she is taken to get the better of Grudge, Godfrey Street and Total Impact. This mare from the Red Hollinshead yard was only narrowly beaten here in a handicap earlier in the week by Pocket's Pick. That was a sound effort as it was her first run on fibresand and now that she is dropped into a claimer she looks to have a big chance. Grudge has been given a little break since his last run when he beat Decider at Wolverhampton. He is another eased in grade today but he doesn't win very often and that last success was his first in over a year. Godfrey Street has got course and distance form and he has registered five wins already on the all-weather. However, he was well beaten on his last start and it is hard to put him forward with any confidence. Total Impact wasn't beaten far in this grade last time and he is another to consider, but the vote goes the way of Metal Guru.

Formwatch

Flash McGahon (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Soon behind, 9th of 14, 8l behind Nickel Silver (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.

Total Impact 9-2 (8-10) Close up, ridden over 2f out, driven to chase winner entering final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Ponting (8-5) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs.

Grudge 13-2 (9-2) Led, headed over 2f out, rallied and regained lead inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov beating Decider (9-3) by 1l, 11 ran.

Loose Caboose (IRE) 12-1 (7-11) Towards rear, pushed along and outpaced after 2f, 8th of 14, 5l behind Nickel Silver (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.

Tartatartufata 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out until 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind Tourist (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.

Godfrey Street 22-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 8l behind Nickel Silver (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.

Grimes Faith 28-1 (9-2) Soon pushed along in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway when not clear run and hampered entering final furlong, not recover, 9th of 11, 5l behind Welcome Approach (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.

Trip Switch 18-1 (9-4) Behind, never on terms, last of 11, 8l behind Romantic Queen (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol in Sep.

Metal Guru 15-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Pocket's Pick (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.

Rosie Says No 14-1 (8-11) In rear, reminders after 1f, ridden and headway and switched left over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, not reached leading pair, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Mr Funshine (8-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.

Yanza 6-1 (9-2) Prominent until weakened 2f out, last of 10, 10l behind Charlie Delta (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f Handicap (0-63) (3yo+) (6) pol.