A tricky-looking finale can go the way of David Barron's Et Dona Ferentes, with Hippolyte, Kumakawa and Shunkawakhan making up the shortlist. The last-named finished a creditable third over seven furlongs last month, and stepping up in trip today he holds place claims, although he doesn't appear overly blessed with stamina. Piccolo Prince was a well-beaten third last time out so would need to step up on that effort to trouble the judge today, whilst Hippolyte's second last time out was a big improvement on previous efforts so if continuing to improve he would have place claims at least. Kumakawa is a course and distance winner so merits respect, however a 347-day absence from the track tempers enthusiasm somewhat. Et Dona Ferentes is fairly unexposed and a reproduction of his last run when runner-up to Kahlua Bear at Wolverhampton would see him firmly in the shake-up. His stable is in good form at present and so he gets the tentative vote to land this open finale.
Tackcoat (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, edged left under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Saucy (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Red Raptor 6-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up, headway to chase leader 4f out, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 2l behind Saucy (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Kumakawa 8-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, never nearer, 8th of 14, 7l behind Crusoe (8-11) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs.
Paddy Moon 25-1 (8-7) In rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on approaching final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 11l behind Opera Writer (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3yo clm (5) fbs in Jul.
Et Dona Ferentes 9-2 (8-10) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Kahlua Bear (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Wodhill Schnaps 6-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Bobering (8-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Hippolyte (USA) 14-1 (8-10) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Dream Forest (9-1) at Southwell 1m clm (7) fbs in Oct.
Futoo (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 24l behind Jazrawy (8-10) at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs in Jan.
Xpres Boy (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 18l behind Lucius Verrus (9-0) at Southwell 6f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jan.
Bournonville 40-1 (10-8) Held up, headway over 6f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, outpaced, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Danelor (11-1) at Southwell 1m 3f amt hcp (6) std.
Piccolo Prince 10-1 (8-12) In rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Count Cougar (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Shunkawakhan (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Val de Maal (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.
