Cappagh's winning run came to an end at Cheltenham last time but Tony McCoy's mount still ran well for a long way and has nothing to fear from Heez A Cracker on that form. Hear My Song is still a maiden but has been knocking on the door and sees out this trip well. Jonjo O'Neill's five-year-old is entitled to respect along with top weight Kauto The Roc, who won at Fontwell and Kempton last month. Henry Hook got off the mark over 2m5f at Towcester last time and should have no problem with the longer trip around here but we're prepared to give another chance to SAINTLY LADY. She's still on the upgrade judged on her fast-finishing third at Chepstow and gets on well with Donal Devereux.
Kauto The Roc (FR) 4-1fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led wandered before and hit last, driven and kept on well flat, won at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov beating Lupanar (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Alverstone 5-6fav (11-2) In touch in 3rd on inside, went 2nd 5th, led narrowly after 4 out, headed next, soon ridden, well held 3rd when mistake, hampered and left 10 lengths 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 27l behind Sparky May (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Nodforms Violet (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, hit 4th, weakened before 2 out, 8th and no chance when hampered after last, plugged on again flat, 6th of 19, 10l behind Devil To Pay (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Heez A Cracker (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Raced wide, behind, some headway 3 out, no impression next, 8th of 17, 33l behind Grands Crus (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Firm Order (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 9l behind Kauto The Roc (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Cappagh (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) In touch, mistake 4 out, headway approaching next, one pace 2 out, went modest 5th flat, 5th of 17, 19l behind Grands Crus (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Henry Hook (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd 6th, not fluent next, challenged 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Pocket Too (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Fortification (USA) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and well there 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 16, 25l behind Buck Magic (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Smooth Classic (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in 7th, headway before 4 out, chasing leaders pair when hit 3 out, left 3rd and slightly hampered 2 out, soon no chance with leading duo, tailed off, 3rd of 9, 34l behind Aiteen Thirtythree (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Point West (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, steady headway before 7th, chased leades 4 out, went 3rd before next, went 2nd last, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Golden Chieftain (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Hear My Song (IRE) 7-4fav (10-9) Held up in last trio, hit 5th, headway before 8th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed and one pace when hit last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Cotswold Charmer (10-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Youralltalk (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner before last, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Habbie Simpson (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Saintly Lady (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 4 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on strongly towards finish, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Stow (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Native Gallery (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed last, kept on run-in, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Jetnova (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Took keen hold in 5th, went 3rd 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten when jumped left 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Kathleens Pride (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Annimation (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Led to after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 50l behind Sparky May (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
