The booking of Paul Hanagan for KATHLEEN FRANCES looks significant as Mark Tompkins' mare will love the going. She hasn't won since 2010 but has rarely had conditions to suit and is given the nod in an open contest. She was just under 2l behind the prolific Easy Terms at Carlisle last June and, with an 8lb pull, can reverse the form. Jeu De Vivre stays further than this and likes the ground and her latest run at Southwell should be dismissed as she hated the surface. She has the beating of Royal Swain on their run at Hamilton last summer but The Fun Crusher looks one to keep an eye on. Tim Easterby's charge made a winning debut in a Thirsk maiden a year ago and didn't reappear until late last month where he was staying on strongly over that 1m2f trip. Provided he handles the going he looks a live threat.
Easy Terms 9-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headwway over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 13l behind Qushchi (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sep.
Persian Peril 28-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 17l behind Shubaat (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden and struggling inside final 3f, 14th of 18, 21l behind Gulf of Naples (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Jeu De Vivre (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, weakened over 5f out, 5th of 9, well behind Boss's Destination (9-8) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
The Fun Crusher 11-1 (9-2) Towards rear and outpaced, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 5th of 16, 4l behind Qaraaba (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Antigua Sunrise (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 18l behind Raucous Behaviour (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Kathleen Frances 10-1 (9-2) Held up, gradually camd to stand side from 8f out, short lived effort 2f out, 7th of 11, 22l behind Hawaafez (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Rio's Rosanna (IRE) 11-2fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 3f out, kept on under prerssure final 2f, never reached leaders, 6th of 14, 8l behind Chilly Filly (9-7) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Royal Swain (IRE) 4-5fav (9-10) In touch, headway 4f out, ridden 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Mazij (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Pertemps Networks 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outside, dropped towards rear after 4f, headway 4f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 4th of 8, 7l behind Illustrious Forest (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Honest Strike (USA) 25-1 (9-11) Close up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 45l behind Art Scholar (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Fossgate 11-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, never on terms, 4th of 10, 12l behind Alsahil (8-7) at York 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep.
