led until 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened final furlong
chased leader, every chance well over 1f out, led 2f out, soon headed and one pace
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold in mid-division, headway well over 1f out, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure
very slowly away, ridden halfway, always behind
This looks to chiefly concern the in-form pair of Dvinsky and RIVER KIROV and we will continue to side with the latter. Now fully 31lbs higher than when winning over course and distance in November, he has since added four wins to his CV, including a quickfire hat-trick just recently. He was value for a fair bit more than the official margin of his last win and a 7lb rise for it may still not be enough to stop this progressive sort. Dvinsky is clearly a danger. He loves it here and has to shoulder a 6lb penalty for winning at Great Leighs last time. You would be hard pressed to say that he had as much in hand as River Kirov there and he may just have to give best today. Count Ceprano is now that same 6lb better off with Dvinsky for what was less than a length defeat and he would have to have a chance of reversing that form on that basis. Northern Empire disappointed last time but he acts on the Polytrack and has won here off a higher mark so he can't be ruled out. Musical Script is a genuine sort who remains in good form but he looks to have an arduous task on form to beat our pick, River Kirov.
Dvinsky (USA) 4-1 (9-4) Made all, steadied pace after 1f, quickened halfway, soon ridden, stayed on gamely, won at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Count Ceprano (8-11) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Vhujon (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Dropped out soon after start, held up last, no chance when ran wide bend entering straight, 8th of 9, 7l behind Ivory Silk (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
River Kirov (IRE) 8-13fav (9-4) Chased leaders, switched right approaching final furlong, led towards finish, readily, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating War And Peace (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Chased winner, ridden to challenge over 2f out, hung right approaching final furlong, stayed on well, never reached leader, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dvinsky (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Northern Empire (IRE) 3-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Rebel Duke (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Mogok Ruby 10-1 (8-9) Slowly away, always behind, 5th of 7, 8l behind Dvinsky (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Musical Script (USA) 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3l behind River Kirov (8-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, headway into mid-division after 2f, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Leading Edge (8-10) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.