held up, headway after 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, 3rd and held when fell last
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, soon held by winner
held up, smooth headway 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, eased near finish
tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, left 3rd last
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
French import Sebastiano showed improved form from his debut effort for Gary Moore when a comfortable winner at Lingfield last month and he is taken to defy the 10lb rise for that success, getting the vote ahead of Dancer's Serenade and Lindop. The last mentioned is capable of taking a hand in the finish and handles cut in the ground but Robert Alner's gelding may be a shade high in the weights so looks best watched. Charlotte Vale disappointed when last seen in November and looks best watched, while Mud Monkey is another that may need some help from the handicapper. Dancer's Serenade has done little wrong this term and has to be respected but Ferdy Murphy's gelding may not appreciate the return to two miles and preference is for Sebastiano.
Lindop 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 13, 14l behind Palomar (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Penn Da Benn (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to lead 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, well behind Khyber Kim (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Sebastiano (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway after 3 out, hit 2 out, led last driven out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec beating First Feerie (10-10) by 4l, 9 ran.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up behind, hit 5th, headway approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, found little, 4th of 10, 9l behind Nycteos (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Charlotte Vale 20-1 (11-8) In touch, mistake and reminders 6th, outpaced next, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Palomar (9-10) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Mud Monkey 14-1 (11-8) Led, under pressure after 3 out, headed before next, weakened, finished tired, 4th of 11, 13l behind Red Flare (10-7) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Daraybad (FR) 7-4fav (10-13) Held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 10, 15l behind Amour Multiple (11-12) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec '06.
Strath Gallant 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, joined briefly after last, stayed on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl frm in Oct beating Ah Ya Boy Ya (11-2) by a nk, 9 ran.
