led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, soon prominent, went 2nd 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch, raced keenly, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
keen early, soon steadied, held up, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, hung left entering final furlong, kept on
chased leader 2f, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Rich Kid can land the prize in this competitive opener over Shepherds Warning and Maybe I Wont. The selection finished a decent second behind Bookish in a handicap here last time and now that he is dropped to claiming grade he should take plenty of beating. The negative would be the disappointing run of Bookish on Wednesday, but nonetheless he has solid claims. Shepherds Warning arrives here in good form and she is on the hat-trick bid today. However, she made hard work of beating Longoria last time when she gave the impression that she might now be one to take on. Maybe I Wont ran well when chasing home Harbour Blues here earlier in the week but that was over 6f and this step-up in trip is not sure to suit. Heavenly Encounter was well beaten on her debut and she will need to progress significantly to get competitive today. We will therefore stick with Rich Kid as the one to be on.
Shepherds Warning (IRE) 10-11fav (8-7) Tracked leader and keen, led well over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec beating Longoria (8-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rich Kid (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Held up in touch, chased winner over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Bookish (9-2) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Heavenly Encounter 14-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon no extra, 4th of 8, 13l behind Ballycroy Boy (9-2) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm (6) fbs in Jan.
Maybe I Wont 9-2 (8-11) Chased winner, ridden over 1f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Harbour Blues (9-7) at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol in Jan.
Mujinda 50-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, weakened 3f out, 10th of 11, 30l behind Duneen Dream (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Amazing Spirit 12-1 (8-5) Pressed leader, led 5f out until over 3f out, still every chance over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 8l behind Talamahana (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan.