Elusive Fame bounced back to form when a close second behind Follow The Flag at Southwell last week and Mark Johnston's gelding has to be respected but he is better on the Fibresand than the Polytrack and it may be worth giving another chance to FANDANGO BOY, who gets the vote with Diapason rated the best of the rest. The selection weakened late on in a handicap over an extended mile at Wolverhampton last month but he should come on for that run, his first for Ian Williams, having shown decent form in Ireland previously. David Evans had his team in great form last year so I Confess has to be considered but needs to improve on recent form, while Chief Exec has place claims but could probably do with some help from the handicapper. David Simcock's Dajen is less exposed than most of these after just four starts and ran better in a handicap at Kempton last time. David Arbuthnot's Shaded Edge deserves to get his head in front having found just one too good in three of his last five starts and he has solid claims off the same mark as when chasing home Autumn Blades over course and distance last month. Tom Dascombe's Diapason won well at Wolverhampton last month and has every chance under his penalty but he may not be as effective on this faster track and preference is for Fandango Boy.
Chief Exec 8-1 (8-7) Behind, headway 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Autumn Blades (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Fandango Boy 7-2 (9-6) Held up in touch, tracked leaders over 2f out, soon driven, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 4l behind African Cheetah (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Rondeau (GR) 11-4fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, switched right start, took keen hold in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, 10th of 11, 5l behind Moojeh (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Elusive Fame (USA) 5-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
I Confess 4-1 (9-1) Disputed lead, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 11, 2l behind Moojeh (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Alqaahir (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Held up toward rear, effort over 1f out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 5l behind African Cheetah (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Shaded Edge 10-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed close home, no extra, 2nd of 8, nk behind Autumn Blades (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Diapason (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec beating Sir George (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dajen 22-1 (8-12) Behind, good headway over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 10, 1l behind Kuanyao (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
