Micky Hammond has his horses in good form so Raleigh Quay, a very good third on his debut behind Silverlord and the consistent Kaolak at Muselburgh on his hurdling debut, looks certain to give a good account. Irish import White Diamond will have come on for her reasonable start at Wetherby and should find this tighter track more to her liking while Hades never settled at Sedgefield and should have learnt from the experience. Mick Easterby has acquired a useful performer from the Flat in CITY GROUND, who won his last two starts for Michael Jarvis last summer having shown his potential earlier. He looks the type to do well at this game and can make a winning start though Tamanaco is another to have scored twice on the level and is one for the short-list. French recruits Patterning and Sendiym are others to consider in an interesting event.
City Ground (USA) 11-4 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, swished tail entering final furlong, driven out, won at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep beating Monte Cavallo (9-10) by 3/4l, 5 ran (flat).
Cross The Boss (IRE) 9-4fav (8-11) Dwelt, in rear, headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Elijah Pepper (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct (flat).
Flyjack (USA) 33-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, not clear run over 3f out, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Barodine (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan (flat).
Hades (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear but in touch, pushed along 3rd, outpaced next, went poor 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Marsh Warbler (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Patterning (9-4) 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Diyaraka (8-11) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 4f stk gd in Sep (flat).
Petrocelli 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, some headway before 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 35l behind Tigre D'aron (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Sendiym (FR) (9-4) 4th of 8, 6l behind Foundation Filly (8-13) at Angers(FR) 1m 6f stk sft in Oct (flat).
Stanley Bridge 250-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind First Fandango (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Tamanaco (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway on inside under pressure over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders, 4th of 11, 9l behind Oriental Cat (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct (flat).
Brink 10-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, driven over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 13, 7l behind Senate Majority (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov (flat).
Presidium Galaxy 100-1 (10-7) In rear, struggling from 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Mark Twain (11-0) at Catterick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
White Diamond 7-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders and keen, in 4th and held when pecked 2 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 25l behind Tigre D'aron (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Raleigh Quay (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Tracked clear leader, not fluent 1st, ridden and hit 2 out, kept on same pace after last, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Silverlord (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
