There was plenty to like about the victory of Altan Khan at Musselburgh where he was produced with a good late run to beat Pillar Of Hercules over the minimum trip. The longer distance here will suit and he can go well again despite an 8lb rise. Amir Pasha has won twice around here but the handicapper has done him no favours after his success at Carlisle in October as he's now 11lb higher. Celticello landed a seller at Fakenham on New Year's Day but would prefer further as would Tension Point, runner-up over 3m1f at Southwell last time. John Quinn has started the New Year with a bang so a chance is taken with BLUE NYMPH, who made a winning debut over timber at Doncaster a year ago and, though not fulfilling potential subsequently, has the scope to do better.
Vivaldi (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th before 3 out, ridden in 6th 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 11l behind Montan (9-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
Celticello (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Raced towards rear but in touch, chased leaders 5th, ridden to challenge 2 out, led before last, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gs beating Knight Legend (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tension Point 5-1 (10-9) In touch in rear, headway 10th, led 3 out, soon went clear briefly, ridden, hung right and headed flat, unable to quicken, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Valley Ride (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Bureaucrat 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 12, 40l behind I've Been Framed (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Blue Nymph 50-1 (10-7) Towards rear, hit 4th, effort under pressure approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, well behind Soldatino (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Warrior One 13-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4th, beaten and edged right after 2 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 13l behind Storm Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Master Fong (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) With leader, pushed along over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 9l behind Bivouac (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Amir Pasha (UAE) 15-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching last, one pace, 4th of 10, 9l behind Nine Stories (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Dan's Heir 16-1 (12-0) Rn in snatches; eff 15; wknd aft nxt, 9th of 13, 43l behind Unjust Law (12-0) at Charm Park 3m ptp in Mar '09.
Altan Khan 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching and hit 2 out, ridden approaching last, led final 100 yards, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Pillar Of Hercules (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Chapolimoss (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 22l behind Eighteen Carat (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Patavium (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outside, headway and effort 3 out, outpaced next, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 21l behind Turtle Spirit (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
