led, ridden, headed over 1f out, faded well inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, not clear run, switched right over 2f out, no impression
in touch, headway, not clear run 2f out, ridden, one pace final furlong
tracked leader throughout, led over 1f out, ran on near finish
in rear, held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
held up, effort over 2f out, not reached leaders
tracked leaders, ridden, weakened over 2f out
in touch, keen, effort to chase leaders 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
Nonrunner
One of four handicaps on the card, this one is reserved for the fillies, but as usual with this sort of race, don't weigh in too heavily with the readies. We will side with World Spirit to see off Fangorn Forest, Blue Line and Lii Najma. The selection improved enough last year to pick up a Kempton maiden in November and then made a pleasing reappearance at Windsor in May when the soft ground wouldn't have been totally in her favour. Nevertheless, she proved she handles at least some cut and with rain forecast that is a plus, and we take her to score here. Fangorn Forest was out of sorts last time when upped in class but back in this grade she will be a serious threat, though ideally she would prefer further. Blue Line appears at this track for the first time, having put up three decent runs at Lingfield lately. Her penultimate start over this trip was when beating Sailor King, who went in at Kempton on Wednesday night, so she is clearly likely to be heavily involved. Of the others Lii Najma is still below her most recent winning mark and went well last time, so don't discount her, but preference is for World Spirit to be Bath's first lady.
Lii Najma 12-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Doctor's Cave (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs in May.
Fangorn Forest (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Always behind, 10th of 12, 21l behind Night Cru (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Corrib (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, eased when beaten final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind dhtrs Stamford Blue (8-9) & Quantum Leap (8-6) at Salisbury 7f app hcp (5) gs in May.
World Spirit 10-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take final 100yds, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Leptis Magna (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.
Blue Line 7-1 (8-10) Held up, headway to chase leaders 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, nk behind Lunar River (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp (6) pol in May.
Spoilsport 9-1 (7-13) Held up in rear, ridden on outside 3f out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 6l behind Vegas Boys (9-4) at Brighton 7f hcap (6) sft in May.
Beshairt 50-1 (8-3) Held up in rear, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 30l behind Sharpazmax (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Ishismart 100-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, last of 10, 15l behind Ravinia (8-12) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Antrim Rose 6-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders over 2f out, 5th of 9, 9l behind Algarade (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Dec.
