Crossing The Bar has been very disappointing since beating a useful sort at Plumpton in April while Nikgarde’s losing run stretches back more than three years. Jessie Lightfoot and Dragon Rock are better known for their chasing exploits but the latter has won over the smaller obstacles and he is Shark Hanlon’s only runner on the card. Much Too Dear didn’t appear to stay 3m at Chepstow in April so the tentative selection is THE BOMBER LISTON, who was third under Lily Jones in a better race at Ludlow earlier in the month.
Dragon Rock (IRE) 13-2 (12-4) Towards rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd next, led travelling well 2 out, soon went clear, not fluent at last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Broken Ice (12-2) by 9l, 9 ran.
Crossing The Bar (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Held up, pushed along 13th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Gaboriot (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
The Bomber Liston (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Ramo (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Fortunefavorsdbold (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Not fluent, in rear, never on terms, last of 9, dist behind Springwell Bay (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Much Too Dear (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 15 3/4l behind East India Express (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Ithaka (IRE) 125-1 (10-2) Always in rear, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, soon tailed off, 16th of 18, dist behind Our Champ (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Rowdy Rustler (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Held up behind leaders, closed 5th, weakened after 2 out, last of 6, 25 1/4l behind Darkest Day (10-10) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Nikgarde (FR) 15-2 (11-0) In touch on inside, fell 8th, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Jessie Lightfoot (IRE) 2-1jfav (10-5) Close up, closed 4 out, pushed along next, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 11l behind African Dance (12-1) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
