Poor old Presented keeps knocking on the door but can’t force his way over the threshold and his chances here look slim given he’s racing from out of the handicap. Nortonthorpelegend has only gone up a pound for a narrow defeat at Ayr but may not enjoy the forecast going. HARRY THE VIKING has been placed three times on heavy ground over distances in excess of 3m. He battled on bravely to score over track and trip last month and is still fairly treated, despite a 7lb rise. Courtown Oscar is also in good form and Silver Tassie shaped with more promise last time. Saint John Henry is a stout stayer who handles the mud so also comes into the reckoning, though is hard to catch right.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up last, outpaced when hit 13th, no chance after, 5th of 6, 9 3/4l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Courtown Oscar (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Led narrowly to after 4th, tracked front pair, went 2nd before 4 out, soon ridden and clear of rest, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Hainan (11-11) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Harry The Viking 25-1 (11-3) Led to 8th, tracked leader, led again 13th, driven and hard pressed last, soon ridden, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Topper Thornton (11-8) by hd, 15 ran.
Saint John Henry (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leading pair until 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, went modest 3rd again and hung left 3 out, no impression when mistake next, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Full Irish (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Milborough (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Towards rear, mistake 10th, tailed off 16th, pulled up before 4 out, at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Alto Des Mottes (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Led, pushed along before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra from last, 5th of 7, 9 1/2l behind The Tailgater (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Itstimeforapint (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, in touch after 2nd, hit 15th and soon outpaced, 6th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Courtown Oscar (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Nortonthorpelegend (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, led before last, kept on and caught close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Finaghy Ayr (10-4) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Anseanachai Cliste (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Disputed lead early, not fluent 4th, tracked leaders after, slight mistake 14th, on terms again 5 out, headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra, 7th of 14, dist behind Presenting Percy (11-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
Presented (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd place, led 4 out, headed before last, kept on, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Finaghy Ayr (10-4) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
