mid-division, lost place over 5f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on
held up in touch, ridden to lead well over 1f out, clear when edged left 1f out, ran on well
prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, lost place 4f out, no danger after
dwelt, ridden over 4f out, always behind
dwelt, always behind
led, headed 9f out, remained prominent, ridden and switched right over 2f out, soon weakened
steadied start, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner final furlong but no impression
with leader, led 9f out, quicken over 5f, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace
Nonrunner
A trappy race for punters and among the shortlist are York Cliff, Mary Gray and Ben Bacchus and our vote goes to Ben Bacchus. Paul Blockley's charge is far from the most consistent of creatures but he has shown glimpses of ability and is taking these off a plater's mark. He may not have liked the Southwell surface last time out so a chance is taken that he will act here. York Cliff ran a shocker at the course on his latest visit. It would be foolish to dismiss him on account of that effort but it was a surprise to see him race so poorly given his relatively fair record at the track. Mary Gray stays further than this trip and is frustrating to follow. Although well handicapped in relation to last year, a previous effort on the surface was disappointing. Explosive Fox was a first winner for Sean Curran. There was a lot to like about the performance although there were a number of well exposed platers in behind. Zaffeu can tend to race a little keenly in the early stages but does have the benefit of Simon Walker in the saddle. A tough race given all the variables and Ben Bacchus is in receipt of our nomination.
Ramsgill (USA) 15-2 (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Zalkani (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Apr.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Apr beating York Cliff (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
York Cliff 4-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 6l behind Zalkani (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Ocean Rock 7-1 (8-12) Towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, not recover, 6th of 11, 11l behind Explosive Fox (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Apr.
Hilltime (IRE) 13-8fav (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Eton (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Zaffeu 13-2 (9-2) Held up racing keenly, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Figaro's Quest (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol.
Mary Gray 7-2fav (8-11) Tracked leader, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, edged left and driven inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Whoopsie (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Ben Bacchus (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Slowly away, keen, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased winner and every chance 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Bold Trump (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f stk (7) fbs.
