Zeloso ran well enough behind Honan earlier this week to be given a chance in a moderate contest but the most likely winner is Armentieres, who gets the vote ahead of Southern Bazaar. The selection showed enough when chasing home Uncle John over course and distance in similar grade last month and again when third here over two miles last time to suggest that he should be good enough to win this, although enthusiasm is tempered somewhat by a disappointing effort in between those two starts. Flemming is held by the selection on running last time but has claims on earlier form, while Samson des Galas has a nice racing weight but has failed to complete in his last two starts. Only Words is hard to recommend on recent evidence along with the six-year-old Virtus so a bigger threat may come from Southern Bazaar. The five-year-old was not far behind the selection last time but Armentieres has his beating on running that day and he gets the vote.
Armentieres 9-1 (11-2) Led to after 3rd, chased leaders, every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Zeloso 12-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden 4th, driven and struggling next, soon well behind, 9th of 12, 21l behind Honan (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Only Words (USA) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 11, 38l behind Polar Gunner (10-9) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Virtus 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, beaten from halfway, 11th of 13, well behind Masafi (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Flemming (USA) 9-2fav (10-12) Held up, pushed along 5th, soon struggling, 11th of 15, well behind Uncle John (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 11-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra flat, 4th of 18, 3l behind Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Samson des Galas (FR) 13-2 (10-7) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 4th, soon struggling pulled up 3 out in race won by Star Trooper (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Kicking Bear (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Led to 5th, pushed along 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 36l behind Moyne Pleasure (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
