LISAHANE BOG just keeps defying the handicapper and may be able to do so once more from Admiral Cochrane and Transfixed. The colt is now on a five-timer having won at Wolverhampton last time. He looked value for more than the official winning margin that day and as a horse who is unbeaten over this trip in handicaps it'll take a brave soul to oppose him, and we think the penalty he shoulders for winning last time will be shrugged off once more. Admiral Cochrane rates the most likely threat to our pick and, although his sole win came over six, he has shaped as though staying this trip well enough in defeat. Willy Jarvis' son of Noverre took a close third here last time and, despite being bumped up a pound for that win, he looks capable of landing a race off this mark at some point. Transfixed completes the shortlist from the seemingly ever in-form David Evans yard. The filly started a remarkable 28 races as a two-year-old, winning six times, and she showed no signs of fatigue when second last time. Racing off the same mark today and with Richard Evans claiming 5lbs, this likeable sort will be ready to expose any weakness in the market principles. Stan Moore's pair of Exceedthewildman and Craicattack look closely matched, with narrow preference for the former who is less exposed and looks more likely to be suited by today's trip, but neither of them arrives in the same sort of form as Lisahane Bog who can continue his winning spree.
Transfixed (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 9l behind Wellmarked (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Lisahane Bog 10-3 (9-0) Dwelt, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, hard ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Ramamara (8-10) by hd, 7 ran.
Craicattack (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Wellmarked (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Exceedthewildman 5-1 (9-2) Tracked winner until ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Kai Mook (8-8) at Lingfield 7f 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Dec.
Admiral Cochrane (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Hampered after 1f, held up and took keen hold, improved 2f out, effort approaching 1f out, driven and soon every chance, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Al Khimiya (9-0) at Kempton 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
