led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leader until over 1f out
close up, ridden over 1f out, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong
awkward start, slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor
tracked leading pair, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd near finish
went left start, mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
raced wide intouch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, never a factor
Sir Frank Wappat is sure to attract a deal of market support but with Richard Hannon's yard in fine form it is MINT WHIP who gets the marginal vote in what looks an interesting heat. The filly races off a 3lb higher mark than when just held in third last time, a performance which followed a decent win over today's trip. She's gone well enough at Kempton before and has Richard Hughes to assist, whilst the yard have had a fine time of things lately, so we'll give this daughter of Whipper the vote to land a competitive race. Sir Frank Wappat won what looked a poor maiden last time but he consequently races off a fair mark of 65. With Frankie Dettori booked to ride, this colt looks sure to run a big race with further improvement likely, but we feel he'll be better over further in time and are prepared to take him on today. This race is far from a match though; Il Forno is a trip winner who's been running consistently well of late, as has the maiden Rain On The Wind. Both enter calculations although the former would look to have plenty of weight for this return to handicap company, whilst Stuart Williams' charge needs to reproduce Southwell form on this altogether faster surface. Blue Zephyr doesn't look a certain stayer now upped to six and Itsthursdayalready is entirely more interesting, stepping back to six off what looks a good mark. Mellifera needs a market check but can be taken on unless support arrives, with our preference being for Mint Whip.
Il Forno 2-1fav (8-12) Tracked winner, hard ridden to challenge over2f out, stayed on strongly, not reached winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Blue Neptune (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo clm stks (5) pol.
Mellifera 3-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 9l behind Imjin River (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Itsthursdayalready 20-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Rjeef (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Royal Blade (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Always towards rear, never a factor, last of 9, 15l behind Secret Millionaire (9-5) at Lingfield 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Mint Whip (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Mount Juliet (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Master Mylo (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Dominium (9-1) at Kempton 6f mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Rain On The Wind (IRE) 9-4fav (8-13) Went left start, keen early, held up in touch, ridden and headway to go 3rd over 1f out, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Kummel Excess (8-12) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Sir Frank Wappat 5-2fav (8-9) Always prominent, went 2nd 3f out, led over 1f out, edged left, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol beating Golden Ratio (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Blue Zephyr 3-1 (8-12) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 8l behind Addictive Dream (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol.
Lou Bear (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind Edinburgh Knight (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Chandrayaan 25-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened close home, 6th of 12, 4l behind Mount Juliet (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Do More Business (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Hampered after 1f, held up, ridden over 2f out, some headway and hung left over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Dragonessa (8-5) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.