led, driven clear over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, modest 4th
tracked leader, outpaced well over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never able to challenge
A tricky opener as WICKED WENCH has done her winning on the all-weather on the Fibresand at Southwell up to now and is having her first start since October. On the positive side, she's dropped in class for her return and is clear at the weights. Where's Reiley has failed to threaten since scoring at Wolverhampton last year and Festival Dance could prove a bigger threat on her comeback run and Polytrack debut. Johnny Splash and Pytheas have it all to on today's terms and look up against it.
Johnny Splash (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Led, strongly challenged from over 1f out, briefly edged left inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on, finished dead heat 2nd, disqualified and placed 3rd after stewards enquiry, in a race won by Love You Louis (9-0) at Lingfield 5f app clm stks 0-70 (6) pol, 4 ran.
Where's Reiley (USA) 11-4 (8-4) Led narrowly on inside, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost place and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind Dark Lane (8-9) at Kempton 6f clm stks 0-75 (6) pol.
Pytheas (USA) 25-1 (8-8) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders 3f out to over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 13, 11l behind Lord Of The Dance (9-4) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Wicked Wench 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 11l behind Gladiatrix (8-2) at Bath 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Festival Dance 6-1 (9-8) Took keen hold, pressed winner until 2f out, soon lost 2nd, ridden over 1f out, weakened rapidly and eased inside final furlong, last of 11, 28l behind Two Turtle Doves (8-12) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Jul.