stedied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leader, stayed on strongly to lead last strides
steadied in rear, headway over 1f out, soon hung right and weakened
chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced in rear, never a factor
raced keenly, with winner, led over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, hung right and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, edged right under pressure over 2f out, never on terms
settled in mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 2f out, led just inside final furlong, headed close home
Russian Spirit's best runs have come on flat tracks so she is opposed here with PERFECT FLIGHT and Viking Spirit, with preference for Michael Blanshard's filly. The selection didn't shine in two runs here last year but she has got two course and distance wins to her name. They have both come on softer ground but she has won on quicker going before so this adaptable filly is taken to bounce back to form. If she fails to fire (has never won before August) then the horse to take advantage may be Kerrys Requiem who has gone close in two starts this season and looks poised to strike. Russian Spirit is a likeable filly who didn't run a bad race last year. She looks on a high enough mark as she begins this year but there may still be more to come. A drop in grade may not be enough to see the returning Definightly in the winners' enclosure and Viking Spirit is a course and distance winner but whilst he looks on a winnable mark it is slightly worrying to see the cheek-pieces applied. Mutamared flopped last time out and but Andrew Reid's gelding may find improvement for his return to the track, whilst King's Caprice took advantage of a nice mark last time out but his record at the track is patchy. So is that of the selection, Perfect Flight, but we are prepared to give her another chance
Definightly 18-1 (8-13) Held up, effort over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 20, 9l behind Swiss Diva (9-1) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Viking Spirit 7-2fav (9-4) Led and disputed after 1f, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Mo Mhuirnin (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Kerrys Requiem (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up, headway, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, staying on when switched right inside final furlong, took 2nd post, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Imperial Guest (9-4) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Perfect Flight 14-1 (9-1) Never reached beyond mid-division, 11th of 14, 13l behind Arthur's Edge (8-5) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct.
Russian Spirit 11-2fav (8-4) Led, headed over 2f out, regained narrow lead 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 18, 6l behind Servoca (8-6) at Doncaster 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.
Mutamared (USA) 20-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 9l behind Imperial Guest (9-4) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
King's Caprice 20-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, driven and stayed on to lead final strides, won at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr beating Westwood (8-13) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Magical Speedfit (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Absa Lutte (9-4) at Folkestone 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Make My Dream 11-1 (8-9) Soon pressed leader, every chance 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Efistorm (9-2) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
