Though upped in class, Scottish raider Clan Legend will love the ground and arrives off the back of a win at Aintree. Aso was behind Al Dancer and Kauto Riko in the Paddy Power here in November and has a bit to prove at present. Happy Diva fell in the Paddy Power but was in touch at the time and Kerry Lee’s mare has a good record around here. MIDNIGHT SHADOW also loves this track and he was 12 lengths ahead of Benatar when second behind Chatham Street Lad in the Caspian Caviar here seven weeks ago. He also appears to have the beating of Al Dancer on that run and looks well treated on a mark of 149. Mister Whitaker is another with a decent record here and Oldgrangewood is more than capable in this grade but Caribean Boy was never travelling when last of three at Ascot, though the winner has franked that form since.
Aso (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Behind until fell 9th, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Caribean Boy (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Jumped slowly 1st, raced wide in 3rd, went 2nd at 4th, pushed along before 13th, well held and no impression next, weakened into 3rd run-in, last of 3, 7l behind Dashel Drasher (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (2) hvy in Dec.
Al Dancer (FR) 5-1fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, lost place when hampered 5th, some headway 12th, no impression, mistake 3 out, soon well behind, 9th of 17, dist behind Chatham Street Lad (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, progress before 4 out, hit 3 out and ridden, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 10, 22 1/2l behind Cyrname (11-6) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Oct.
Happy Diva (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Led narrowly, jumped well, weakened and headed after last, lost 2nd final 110 yards, one pace, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind My Old Gold (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Midnight Shadow 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, challenged before 2 out, no impression on winner last, kept on, 2nd of 17, 15l behind Chatham Street Lad (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Oldgrangewood 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, switched right to challenge before 3 out, stayed on well from last, 4th of 10, 3l behind Clondaw Castle (11-8) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Kauto Riko (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, remote 9th 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th close home, nearest finish, 4th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Coole Cody (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Benatar (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, chasing leaders 4th, challenged 10th, led before 2 out, soon headed, 3rd and no extra last, 3rd of 17, 27l behind Chatham Street Lad (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Clan Legend 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 10th, good headway on inside chasing leaders approaching 10th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led on long run before last, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Dashing Perk (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Eden Du Houx (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway into midfield 13th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Cobolobo (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
