Verdict

MIGHTY RIVER has improved with each run as he's stepped up in trip and showed real battling qualities to score over an extended 1m1f at Wolverhampton where he made most. Kingsley Pride also attempted to make all over this track and trip last month but couldn't quite hold Sir Laurence Graff and was beaten a short-head with Uncle Matthew well behind. Look Back Smiling made a winning debut at Pontefract for the Gosdens' but hasn't done as well as expected and has changed stables as has Grand Central, who cost 140,000gns as a yearling and 6,500gns at the Autumn Sales.

Formwatch

Kingsley Pride 16-1 (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, hung right then veered sharply left approaching final furlong, headed final furlong, just denied close home, 2nd of 7, shd behind Sir Laurence Graff (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (4) pol in Nov.

Mighty River (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) Made all but pressed, ridden 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, holding 2nd inside final 100 yards, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Dec beating Burdett Road (9-7) by 1l, 11 ran.

Look Back Smiling (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leader after 1f, led over 7f out, edged right final bend, soon headed, no impression final furlong, kept on, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Sol Cayo (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f (4) pol in Nov.

Grand Central 22-1 (9-8) Off the pace in last trio, plugged on inside final furlong, went modest 4th towards finish, 7th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Star Player (9-9) at Windsor 1m (5) gd in Oct.

Uncle Matthew (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, led after 2f, headed and rider dropped whip 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 12l behind Loyal Touch (9-9) at Kempton 1m (4) pol in Nov.