led until riddden and headed just over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
headway to chase leader over 7f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader 2f, remained handy, headway 2f out, effort to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, driven out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch on inside, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, not clear run on inside and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong
in touch on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
Nonrunner
Mullins Way nearly caused an upset when going very close over a shorter trip here on Thursday and has leading claims, while Archie Rice continues to defy the handicapper and won here last month for the fourth time in his last five starts. Emma's Gift can figure with a clear run having unshipped her rider after being badly hampered at Lingfield last time and Aquarian Spirit may not have finished winning yet, though he steps up in trip and class in a bid to land a hat-trick. However, SON VIDA made a winning debut at Southwell last year and gets a tentative vote on his comeback as he may well have improved since.
Son Vida (IRE) 2-1 (8-8) Slight lead, definite advantage 3f out, clear when green and went left over 1f out, heavily eased final 110 yards, won at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs in Jan '11 beating Kishanda (8-3) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Archie Rice (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan beating West End Lad (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Emma's Gift (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Held up in rear, short of room and clipped heels approaching 2f out and unseated rider, in a race won by Emerald Wilderness (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (2) pol in Jan, 8 ran.
Veroon (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Maverik (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
The Lock Master (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) In touch, pushed along 4f out, headway to go 4th 3f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 11, hd behind Admirable Duque (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Georgebernardshaw (IRE) 5-2 (8-13) Led and set steady pace, quickened tempo over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon headed and no extra, eased when held, 4th of 5, 2l behind Faithful Ruler (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Aquarian Spirit 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, bumped and headed narrowly over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, gamely, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating The Happy Hammer (8-13) by nk, 8 ran.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) In touch in rear, pushed along over 1f out, never a factor, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Munsarim (9-5) at Lingfield 1m clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Honey Of A Kitten (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, lost place over 4f out, last of 12, 11l behind Maverik (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Mullins Way (USA) 20-1 (9-6) Held up in 6th, headway on outside and hung left over 1f out, soon ridden, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Viva Ronaldo (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
