KEFALONIA should take this at the main expense of newcomer Warpedsenseofhumor, the more experienced High Office and potential improver Gilded Age. Barry Hills has started the season in traditionally fine style and another victory is expected here with Kefalonia. She ran well on her debut at Kempton when only beaten half a length by Haakima and she should handle this slightly longer trip with no problems. In recent seasons her trainer has a 22% strike-rate at the track and she may take some pegging back. Her debut was more taking than that of Gilded Age who was well-held at Lingfield. He was easy to back and already gelded, he will need to have improved significantly since to play a hand here. High Office is rated 72 after some fair efforts as a two-year-old, including a short-head defeat here in September. He is considered, although fast ground is a real unknown. Warpedsenseofhumor travels a long way for his racecourse bow. Connections had a debutant run a storming race last week and it would be unwise to overlook him here. Mohathab has changed yards since his final run of last season at Nottingham. He didn't look a star for John Gosden, and the feeling is that his official rating of 82 flatters him somewhat, but again it would be unwise to dismiss him too readily, especially if the market speaks in his favour. An interesting race and we will side with Kefalonia.
Den Maschine 28-1 (9-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, once pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Stagecoach Jade (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Rosko 8-1 (10-0) Raced keenly in touch, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Uncle Bertie (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Cosmic Nayef gelding out of Urania.
Gilded Age 9-1 (9-3) Dwelt, soon mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 11l behind Big Bound (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
High Office 7-4fav (8-11) Behind, pushed along 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Officer In Command (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (4) pol in Oct.
Warpedsenseofhumor (FR) Distorted Humor colt out of Eden.
Kefalonia (USA) 15-2 (8-10) Slowly away, ran green in last trio, pushed along and switched out 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong,went 2nd and closed on winner near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Haakima (8-10) at Kempton 1m mdn fll (5) pol in Mar.
Vita Mia 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always in rear, ran wide 7f out, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 17l behind Three Moons (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo fll mdn (5) gf.
Mohathab (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Always prominent, led and edged left over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Summers Lease (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
