in touch, ridden over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, faded
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, all out to lead at line
held up rear and keen, effort over 2f out, hampered and not clear run over 1f out, kept on
led, ridden over 2f out, weakening when headed over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never better than finishing position
prominent, lost place halfway
in touch, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, all out when headed line
mid-division, effort on outside 2f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to join leaders over 1f out, chased front pair inside final furlong but no extra
soon pushed along to take prominent position, ridden over 2f out, chance over 1f out, faded
Slowly into stride, never a factor
In the opener, Soviet Threat gets the call ahead of Merdiff and Mandarin Spirit. There was plenty to like about the way that Soviet Threat won on his debut in a claimer, although this 110,000 euros purchase must have had his problems to have been entered so cheaply for that contest. He remains an interesting contender, though, and connections will get more of an idea as to what they have acquired after today. Merdiff continues to remain competitive from his current mark and warrants respect, as does the enigmatic course and distance winner Mandarin Spirit, who can often follow a good run with an indifferent one. Tuscarora has also won over course and distance, but has been beaten from his revised marks, while Hawkit holds a chance based on the best of his Turf form but has been disappointing lately on the all-weather. Threezedzz has also won on Turf from today's mark, as has Winthorpe, while Kalani Star might improve for the application of cheekpieces. Finally, Pearl Fisher has little form to speak of and the other pair probably need to improve by four or five pounds to feature. We turn once again then to the selection, which is Soviet Threat.
Merdiff 9-2fav Mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on to chase leaders, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Kew The Music at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 6-1 Held uo behind, headway and short of room 1f out, squeezed through inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 6f stk (E3) pol in Jan beating Greenwood by a hd, 11 ran.
Tuscarora (IRE) 4-1jt-fav Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, switched right and kept on, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Kareeb at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Constable Burton 12-1 Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Bundaberg at Southwell 1m hcp (E3) fbs.
Winthorpe (IRE) 9-1 Behind, headway and in touch halfway, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, nk behind Indian Maiden at Lingfield 6f amt hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Kalani Star (IRE) 9-2jt-fav In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Pawn In Life at Southwell 1m hcp (E3) fbs in Jan.
Soviet Threat (IRE) 3-1fav Prominent, led well over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f mdn clm (H5) pol beating Farthing by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
