Verdict

Mick's Spirit placed in a higher grade sprint here earlier in the week though could only manage fourth in this last year off a lower mark. AMOR DE MI VIDA is preferred having finally scored on the all-weather when beating a subsequent winner at Wolverhampton and she looks worth sticking with having won off higher marks on Turf. Pepper Streak finished behind the selection last time but Bethersden Boy and Lilkian have been thereabouts over 6f recently and Yimou finished runner-up at Chelmsford last time.

Formwatch

The Defiant 8-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, chased along 2f out, stayed on same pace, 9th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Pop Dancer (9-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.

Lilkian 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, hard ridden and every chance inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 10, 3/4l behind Justcallmepete (9-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.

Yimou (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, headway 1f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 1l behind La Roca Del Fuego (9-2) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.

Bethersden Boy (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Chased leaders on inside, switched out over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Rattling (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.

Mick's Spirit 10-3 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd turning in, no impression inside final furlong, no chance with wnner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Harb (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.

Amor De Mi Vida (FR) 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, shaken up 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Politics (9-7) by 1l, 10 ran.

Vandad (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Dwelt in rear, ridden halfway, never on terms, 8th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Sarah's Verse (9-11) at Windsor 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug.

Corinthia Knight (IRE) 80-1 (8-13) Off the pace towards rear, pushed along out wide halfway, never on terms, 9th of 10, 10l behind Pocket The Profit (9-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.

Pepper Streak (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Disputed lead, driven along 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra final 110yds, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Amor De Mi Vida (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Battle Point (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Led, saddle slipped back as little, headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Cabeza De Llave (9-7) at Brighton 5f hcp (6) gf in Aug.