Grand Slam, Ideal du Bois Beury and Arctic Lagoon are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the tentative vote is given to Grand Slam. The selection was a fair third behind Flaming Heck last time out. That form has since been franked and with the step up in trip sure top suit he looks the one to be on. Ideal du Bois Beury rates the main danger on his best form and he looks capable of winning off this mark. However he is very hard to win with and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Arctic Lagoon is another that could go well on his best form but he has not progressed as expected and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Persian Point is another that will appreciate this longer trip having been third behind Ceder Rapids last time but he looks to have enough weight for what he has actually achived. Of the remainder Little Flora has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to the consistent Grand Slam.
Eyze (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed 6th, quickly pulled up at the 9th in race won by Almire Du Lia (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Persian Point 12-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, outpaced 3 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cedar Rapids (10-11) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Secret Drinker (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Led to 3rd, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Bang And Blame (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Little Flora 8-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place after 6th, 6th of 10, 26l behind Flaming Heck (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Diamond Cottage (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 48l behind San Peire (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
The Masareti Kid (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up in touch and keen, pushed along 6th, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Michaels Dream (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
Grand Slam (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear, outpaced 6th, headway 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Flaming Heck (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Bramble Princess (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Canavan (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Jan.
Gay Kindersley (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Perfect Balance (11-6) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan, 16 ran.
True Temper (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Towards rear, out paced 7th, some late headway, never dangerous, 4th of 13, 22l behind Chickapeakray (9-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Arctic Lagoon (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Led until 2nd, stayed in touch until ridden 11th and gradually weakened, last of 6, well behind Magnificent Seven (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m nov chs (4) gf in Jan.
Terramarique (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) In touch, led 5th until blundered and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Another Club Royal (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jan, 13 ran.
Ideal du Bois Beury (FR) 13-2 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden 14th, kept on, 3rd of 13, 22l behind Another Club Royal (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jan.
