chased leaders, effort on outside 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
took keen hold early, held up in 6th, came wide into straight, struggling 2f out
close up in 5th, effort on inside 2f out, squeezed through approaching final furlong, kept on to take 2nd last strides
led, headed over 1f out, rallied under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd final strides
steadied start, held up in rear, no progress final 2f
chased leaders until weakened quickly over 1f out
chased leader, challenged going well over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, faded and lost 2 places near finish
Mint Whip is unexposed after just three starts and Richard Hannon's filly could be of interest on her first start in a handicap off a mark of 63 but it is hard to get away from LOVE DELTA, who gets the vote with The Love Guru rated the best of the remainder. The selection has shown improved form in recent starts on the Fibresand and there is no doubt that the horse with an American dirt pedigree is suited by the surface at Southwell but there is no reason why he should not handle the Polytrack and Mark Johnston's colt can complete a hat-trick. David Evans has his string in good heart but his runner, Transfixed, needs to step up on his most recent form to trouble the judge, while Richard Guest's Tealing is probably a shade high in the weights now but is relatively lightly raced and now makes his Polytrack debut having been running well on the Fibresand. Jeremy Glover's Coolree Star has a bit to fid with the selection on running last time, while Italian Tom is seemingly better on the Fibresand. Jim Boyle's The Love Guru is another that has been in winning form on the Fibresand at Southwell and he has to be respected but a better bet looks to be Love Delta, who can win again.
Love Delta (USA) 4-6fav (8-12) Led over 1f, pressed leader, led 2f out, readily, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Coolree Star (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Transfixed (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 5l behind Cuthbert (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Italian Tom (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and edged left 2f out, soon beaten, last of 4, 7l behind Love Delta (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Coolree Star (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Pressed winner, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Love Delta (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Tealing 5-4fav (9-2) Steadied start, held up in last, headway over 4f out, ridden to press winner well over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Lily Lily (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
The Love Guru 6-4fav (8-13) Hampered start, soon led, made rest, driven 2f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, held on under pressure final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Knightfire (9-1) by shd, 7 ran.
Mint Whip (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 3l behind Avenuesnalleyways (9-3) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
