slowly into stride, ridden and some progress over 2f out, no further impression
tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ridden out
led, ridden approaching 1f out, soon headed and no extra
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden approaching final furlong, every chance inside, no extra
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
reared start, mid-division, ran on through beaten horses
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened quickly
Billion Dollar Kid won a Great Leighs claimer last time but did not look an easy ride and we will oppose him here with Mandarin Spirit, while Peter Island can show up well. Mandarin Spirit won over c&d a couple of starts ago and has generally been holding his form well until a mark of 67 and apprentice company found him out last time. A 2lb drop will help here and with his course form a definite plus we'll side with him. Billion Dollar Kid hails from the in-form Ron Harris yard and has a good ratio of three wins from nine career starts, so he has to be taken seriously, and the return to handicapping on a more realistic mark so can't be discounted. Peter Island has been in consistent form in this sphere and over similar trips. He also has c&d winning form to his name but is perhaps a little too high in the weights now. Punching is 8lb higher than a c&d success in April and is capable of being competitive from this mark, while Cosmic Destiny likes it here but is best over the minimum trip and we'll take them all on with Mandarin Spirit.
