Quite By Chance has been running well but is still 11lb higher than for his last win. Play The Ace has won six times since June, including his last four. Any fears about the going have been dispelled in recent weeks but he’s gone up another 5lb since scraping home at Aintree. TOP GAMBLE is also entered at Wetherby but this looks a better option for Kerry Lee’s nine-year-old, on whom Richard Johnson has an excellent strike-rate. He was no match for Un De Sceaux in a Grade 2 at Cork earlier this month but is now 5lb lower than when last seen in a handicap. O Maonlai and Dusky Lark may strip fitter here but Pressurize and Templehills lack a recent run.
Top Gamble (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) In touch, took closer order after 2nd, 2nd after 4th, under pressure and ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 25l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Cork 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Quite By Chance 7-2 (10-7) Led until headed briefly 6th, headed 8th, chased leader until 4 out, chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, ridden and switched left approaching last, kept on again in closing stages, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Sir Valentino (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Play The Ace (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led until 1st, led 2nd, not fluent and headed 5th, led before 8th, headed before last, led again flat, headed towards finish, gamely regained lead post, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Katachenko (11-9) by ns, 7 ran.
Templehills (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hampered and lost place 9th, soon towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Dusky Lark 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place halfway, pulled up before 6 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
O Maonlai (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Pressurize (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear but in touch, pushed along halfway, detached 11th, soon tailed off, pulled up 13th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
