War Feather gets a narrow vote over the likes of Simplified, Compton Express and Hiawatha, with Kiama also worth a mention. War Feather appears to be going the right way judged on his last two efforts, here and more recently at Kempton where he just failed to reel in Simplified. That was over a furlong shorter than today's journey, and on 8lb better terms for the short-head that separated them, War Feather can be fancied to turn the tables despite his wide draw in stall 14. Drawn even wider is Compton Express who had Simplified behind when runner-up at Kempton last month. On that form at least, he too has a chance, but has disappointed round here in the past. Hiawatha has not won since 2005 but was involved in some close finishes last year, while Kiama has been out of form but is well treated these days. They appear to be the main protagonists, with preference for War Feather.
Blue Quiver (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 16l behind Scamperdale (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Woolstone Boy (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Arsad (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
War Feather 6-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden to chase leader 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, shd behind Simplified (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Krasivi's Boy (USA) 11-2 (9-7) Held up, ridden 4f out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 9l behind Padre Nostro (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3f out, soon ridden and weakened from 2f out, 6th of 12, 7l behind Noble Minstrel (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Head To Kerry (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden and lost place 2f out, 6th of 11, 7l behind Pharaoh Prince (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Oct '05.
Simplified 6-1 (8-11) Held up behind, headway over 4f out, driven to lead over 1f out, all out, held on, won at Kempton 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) pol beating War Feather (9-5) by a shd, 12 ran.
Enthusius 14-1 (9-3) Held up, keen, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 24l behind Free To Air (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo mdn aut (6) gd in Apr.
Nona 25-1 (8-12) In touch on outside, driven over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 27l behind Sunset Boulevard (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Useful 10-1 (8-12) Soon outpaced, 6th of 8, 18l behind Rapid City (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Hiawatha (IRE) 12-1 (8-1) Towards rear, headway when not clear run 3f out, switched left, kept on, 5th of 14, 6l behind Danzare (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Smoothie (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 14th of 16, 25l behind Cemgraft (10-5) at Chepstow 1m 4f amt hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Kiama 20-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 9th of 11, 5l behind Tancredi (10-13) at Kempton 1m 3f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Avanti 40-1 (8-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, every chance until no extra final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Reminiscent (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Go Amwell 4-1 (8-7) Held up, headway on outer to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Atlantic Gamble (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Compton Express 20-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Sahf London (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
