in touch, effort after 3 out, weakened next
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, led soon after last, driven out
mistake 2 out, always towards rear
tracked leaders, hit 4th, led and hit 6th, ridden when blundered last, soon headed and hung left, no extra
took keen hold, held up, ridden and steady progress from 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd near finish
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
took keen hold, held up, mistake 2nd, headway after 7th, ridden in 3rd when mistake 2 out, hung right and faded run-in
in touch, clipped heels on bend after 7th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on well from last
took keen hold, mid division, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
led until 6th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out
held up behind, hit 6th and 8th, some late progress, never dangerous
The short-list comprises BUSKER ROYAL, Root Cause and Alaghiraar whilst it's also reasonable to expect Southern Regent to have a say. Emma Lavelle has won this race twice in five years and has her string in great order at present. Alaghiraar has caught the eye a couple of times in just four starts and merits consideration as he steps up in trip for his handicap bow. The longer trip may also help Southern Regent who was outpaced in a well contested Cheltenham handicap but he's a little more exposed than Busker Royal who we're going to side with here. He's another that caught the eye last term, particularly at this venue when behind Elusive Dream. He's making his reappearance for a new yard and doesn't appear to be too badly handicapped although he still has to prove that he has the ability to capitalise on it. Irish form is represented by Kilkenny All Star and Root Cause and the latter makes more appeal given that he comes here at the top of his game and looks sure to be suited by this longer trip. A few more have claims but that quintet make most appeal to our eye with Busker Royal taken to pick up the cash.
Southern Regent (IND) 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, under pressure when switched right approaching last, stayed on same pace last, 6th of 20, 9l behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Busker Royal 11-2 (11-0) Held up, mistake 5th, headway after 3 out, stayed on one pace from next, 4th of 14, 14l behind Hora (9-9) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Kilkenny All Star (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead briefly 3 out, ridden and weakened before straight, 5th of 18, 24l behind Equus Maximus (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl gs in Apr.
Alaghiraar (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 5th, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Nothing Is Forever (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Prince du Beury (FR) 9-2fav (10-6) Raced keenly, led, headed before 2nd, regained lead 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 12th of 16, 40l behind Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Root Cause 11-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, 6th before last, stayed on, 4th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Merry Cowboy (11-5) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Oct.
Equity Release (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Benmore Boy (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 12 ran.
Cavallini (USA) 11-10fav (10-12) Chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, chased winner to 3 out, hit next, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Maslak (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Benmore Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, stayed on last, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Nikos Extra (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Karasakal (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 11l behind Just Beware (9-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
I'm The Decider (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Held up, pushed along when not fluent 7th, effort 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 20l behind Arumun (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Tootsie Too 9-2 (10-7) Made all, hit 7th and 8th, ridden 3 out, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Speed Bonnie Boat (10-10) by 3l, 14 ran.
Fair Shake (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Held up, headway approaching 4th, led before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 31l behind Charles Street (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Hillridge 28-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 18, 33l behind Nemetan (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in May.
