Verdict

WHAT KATIE DID is the form pick to land this handicap at the expense of Monte Major and Admiral Bond. The selection got his head in front at Kempton on his penultimate start and was not disgraced off a five pound higher mark at the same venue thereafter. Milton Bradley has his small team of horses in good shape at present and as he has had a couple of quiet years his horses are potentially well treated. With that in mind What Katie Did is a horse worth staying on the right side of for the time being. Monte Major carries a nice racing weight and has been in consistent form this winter without getting his head in front. He can once again be competitive in a race that looks wide open so any market moves should be noted. Admiral Bond broke his maiden tag at Southwell in December and has run with credit in both his last two runs in handicaps. He runs off the same mark again here and is sure to be in the shake up come the business end of the race. However for the winner we return to What Katie Did.

Formwatch

Gwilym (GER) 16-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on edging left, led line, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Incomparable (8-12) by a hd, 10 ran.

Desert Opal 33-1 (8-8) Always in rear, 8th of 10, 8l behind Gwilym (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.

What Katie Did (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Drifting Gold (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.

Jane's Payoff (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 8, 9l behind Godfrey Street (8-7) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.

Mandelieu (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 12, 12l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol in Oct.

Admiral Bond (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, late headway on outer over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, not troubled leaders, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Whiskey Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.

Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6l behind River Kirov (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.

Dodaa (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Tracked winner, effort halfway, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 18l behind Harry Up (9-1) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol in Jan.

Teen Ager (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Led early, stayed close up, ridden and effort over 1f out, chased leading pair until lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Whiskey Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.

Fizzlephut (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Held up in touch, not much room halfway, soon ridden and lost place, 6th of 11, 4l behind Drifting Gold (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.

Green Lagonda (AUS) 8-1 (9-3) Soon led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Namu (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.

Monte Major (IRE) 11-4 (8-7) In touch, ridden along halfway, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Back In The Red (9-5) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs in Jan.

Tyrannosaurus Rex (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 8th of 9, 7l behind Namu (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.