Aristo Du Plessis won this last year when 3lb higher but age may be catching up with James Ewart’s 11-year-old. Diodorus will handle conditions but hasn’t raced since August. Pop The Cork has won on soft going but today’s ground may be too testing. VELASCO is still seeking a first victory under Rules but has been knocking on the door and dropping back in distance may well see him get his head in front. Crack Du Ninian steps up a grade but Lily Pinchin’s claim is a plus and he should be competitive again. Hart Of Steel failed to complete the hat-trick when upped in trip at Sedgefield but wasn’t beaten far, though has been raised a further 2lb since. Leostar was engaged at Musselburgh yesterday.
Diodorus (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, closed 5th, mistake 8th, soon went 2nd, ridden after 3 out, well held by winner from next, 2nd of 5, 24l behind Finisk River (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) sft in Aug.
Pop The Cork 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, taken wide in back-straight last time, went 2nd after 4 out until before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Shannon Bridge (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Hart Of Steel (IRE) 85-40 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 2 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length down when mistake last, plugged on run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Winds Of Fire (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Penpal (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, under pressure before last but no extra, 5th of 12, 11 1/4l behind A Large One Please (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Leostar 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, pulled hard for the majority, shaken up and every chance 2 out, ridden in 2nd last, kept on but no match for the winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Rock On Fruity (11-11) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Velasco (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, went second 2 out, ridden soon after, stayed on but no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Optimise Prime (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4th, tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 20 1/4l behind Serious Ego (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Frightened Rabbit (USA) 40-1 (11-2) Led until headed before 3 out, lost 2nd 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, towards rear and struggling after, 10th of 11, dist behind Quest For Life (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Crack Du Ninian (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Prominent, led going well before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well from last, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Comber Mill (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
