The market will tell us plenty about these and from a shortlist that contains Kingscape, Otage De Brion and Speedy Sam, we side with the last named. The selection was rated in the mid-90's on the level and should be at least fit from a recent outing on the all-weather. Active over one mile two furlongs, he should be capable of staying two miles. Otage De Brion may have needed his last run. His price was crazy on that occasion versus circumstances but he was in trouble from some way out. Kingscape has to be respected as a rare runner from the James Fanshawe stable. The market is watched. Film Festival had consistent form in Ireland on the flat but has a bit to prove on what we have seen over hurdles. Gloucester was easy to back on debut and might be worth a watching brief this afternoon as his yard are not in the best of form at present. Veiled Applause appears the stable second choice on jockey bookings. All For The Cause beat the well touted Berwick Law at Newcastle. His penalty means that he will have to be a good horse to give away weight all around. A competitive race that will throw up a number of future winners and we are with Speedy Sam.
All For The Cause (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) In touch, headway to lead before 3 out, ridden clear when hit last, stayed on, won at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs beating Berwick Law (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Otage De Brion (FR) 4-9fav (11-4) Tracked winner, ridden 3 out to chase winner 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Marsam (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Airman (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up, headway and reminders after 5th, led briefly approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 11, 12l behind Park Drive (10-12) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Bull Market (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up and raced keenly, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 8, 6l behind Chord (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug (Flat).
Film Festival (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, 7th of 16, 32l behind Moonhawk (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Finnegans Rainbow 200-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Razor Royale (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Foursquare Flyer (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 36l behind Melpomene (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan (Flat).
Gloucester 13-2 (10-12) Raced keenly in touch, ridden 3 out, chased winner between last 2, no extra and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
Kingscape (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway from 2f out, hung left under pressure, no impression final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Polish Power (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Mayor of Seaham (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly away, always behind, last of 8, 49l behind Frank Crow (9-0) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept '05 (Flat).
Merchant Red (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 49l behind Swordsman (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Pret A Thou (FR) (10-3) Mistakes and never in touch, beaten over a distance, 5th of 8, 20l behind Scribe Alone (10-12) at Saint-Galmier 2m 3f hdl gd in Mar.
Speedy Sam 3-1fav (9-5) Held up 5th, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Bid For Glory (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol (Flat).
Sure Flame (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, headed 4 out, weakening when hit 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Nom de Guerre (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gf, 7 ran.
Top Seed (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 15th of 16, well behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Veiled Applause 17-2 (9-7) Led for 2f, remained prominent, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Risque Heights (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Treacle Moon 33-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, steady headway from 4 out, ridden next, no impression, 5th of 14, 10l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
