took keen hold, soon chased leaders on outside, keeping on one pace when hampered and snatched up final 100 yards
led and disputed after 1f, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
held up in mid-division, good headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish
led 1f, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, came wide straight, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong
started slowly, always behind
chased leaders, carried right and ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and not quicken towards finish
held up towards rear, switched left and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, not pace of winner towards finish
soon chased leaders, weakening when hampered 1f out
took keen hold in mid-division, headway towards inside over 1f out, one pace
Another quality handicap where the shortlist consists of ANNE OF KIEV, Weet A Surprise and Mo Mhuirnin, with the vote of confidence going to the first-named. Jeremy Gask's mare comes here on the back of a fair fourth to Master Lightfoot where she shaped as if getting ready to win again. She is only two pounds higher in the weights than when a winner over five furlongs here in December and if she lasts out over this longer trip then she shouldn't be far away at the line. Brierty and Weet A Surprise are both consistent but each now looks high enough in the weights, whilst on the other hand both Financial Times and Orpsie Boy both look nicely treated at present. Mo Mhuirnin paid the price for a good summer and may be poorly handicapped on this return to action, so a bigger threat could be Fathsta who has been out of form lately but is now just barely above his last winning mark. Viking Spirit is nicely drawn for a horse who can race prominently, whilst both Klynch and Methaaly are both below their last winning marks. Some well-handicapped runners here then in summary, but preference is for the mare Anne Of Kiev.
Fathsta (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Always behind, last of 13, 11l behind Tiddliwinks (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Viking Spirit 4-1 (9-4) Chased winner, ridden 2f out, edged right and lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Beat The Bell (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Mo Mhuirnin (IRE) 13-2 (8-5) Held up, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 9l behind Tropical Paradise (8-12) at Salisbury 7f fll hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Bahamian Lad 17-2 (9-1) Went left start, led at easy pace, quickened over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 2l behind New Leyf (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Financial Times (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and some headway on inside over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Beat The Bell (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Weet A Surprise 4-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 9, ns behind Sir Nod (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Divine Force 17-2 (8-6) Keen and held up, effort 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 9, 9l behind Last Sovereign (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Brierty (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Replicator (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcap (5) pol in Mar.
Anne of Kiev (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Master Lightfoot (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcap (4) pol in Mar.
Klynch 7-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, stayed on from over 1f out to go 3rd well inside final furlong, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Misaro (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
Methaaly (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Slowly away, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 6th of 8, 5l behind Replicator (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcap (5) pol in Mar.
Orpsie Boy (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Beat The Bell (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
