Arqalina takes a big drop in class after running down the field behind prolific stablemate Kapga De Lily here last month but Charlie Deutsch prefers KHAIRAGASH, who had been knocking on the door again prior to his latest fourth at Warwick. Zee Man was a ready winner when making his chasing bow at Fakenham so has obvious scope while Clondaw's Answer finally got his act together at Exeter. Joly Maker can be a little hit-and-miss but has won twice over fences so can’t be ignored in a race like this.
Zee Man (FR) 10-3 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, challenged after next, led 2 out, clear home turn, stayed on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Lessankan (11-6) by 7l, 7 ran.
Joly Maker (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, hampered by faller 4 out, ridden before 3 out, moved into distant 3rd before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Debden Bank (10-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
According To Alex (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Held up, blundered 6th, pulled up before 15th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Templier (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway from 4 out, modest 5th after 3 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 25 1/4l behind Ben Brody (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Clondaw's Answer (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, disputed lead after the 5th, led after the 7th, ridden when pressed 2 out, every chance and yet to be headed last, headed briefly after the last, rallied bravely and kept on to regain the lead on the line, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Lermoos Legend (10-12) by ns, 14 ran.
Arqalina (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Close up early, disputed second behind clear leader, pushed along after 4 out, under pressure before next and soon weakened, 6th of 10, 30l behind Kapga De Lily (11-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Khairagash (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Prominent until 1st, chased leaders, ridden before 8th, struggling in 6th after 3 out, kept on flat, 4th of 14, 22 1/2l behind Ben Brody (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Scartare (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, chased leader 6th until 4 out, pushed along and hit 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 30l behind Gallic Geordie (10-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Big Time Frank (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased winner until 5th, went 2nd again 9th until after 11th, 2nd again soon after until 3 out, weakened into 3rd before the last, 3rd of 12, dist behind Ballybreen (11-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Vetoncall (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) In rear on outside, ridden after 10th, well beaten 3 out, last of 7, dist behind Lickpenny Larry (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Royal Act 16-1 (10-0) Jumped left, led, blundered 5th, headed 12th, led next, mistake 14th, headed before 4 out, mistake 2 out, no extra, 6th of 16, 11l behind Twojayslad (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Cobra Commander (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Prominent, mistake 4 out, 3rd and no extra before 2 out, 3rd of 14, 21l behind Ben Brody (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Monty Massini 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders on inside, mistake 5th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied into modest 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Zee Man (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
