Buckhorn Timothy was engaged to run in the opener at Exeter yesterday so it remains to be seen if he'll turn up. He'd be hard to beat if diverted here but, in his probable absence, we'll rely on BECAUSESHESAIDSO. Venetia Williams' charge stayed on strongly to land a Carlisle bumper on his racecourse debut and will almost certainly be suited by the longer trip. Seymour Star is improving judged on his latest fifth at Towcester but it's difficult to make much of a case for the others.
Becauseshesaidso (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) In touch, headway to lead 3f out, ridden and joined 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead again near finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Oct beating Court Dismissed (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bee Bumble Alflora gelding out of Shadowgraff.
Buckhorn Timothy 7-2 (11-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th until 7th, chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, challenged between last 2, disputing lead approaching last and every chance run-in until no extra final 150 yards, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Desilvano (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Damby's Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led, headed over 6f out, weakened over 5f out, 11th of 14, well behind Pengo's Boy (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Johney Foley (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Pressed winner, hit 1st, led narrowly after 6th until 8th, weakened before next, soon behind and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Boardwalk Empire (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 7f nov hdl (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Just Skittles 100-1 (11-3) In rear, pushed along before 4th, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Scorpiancer (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft, 12 ran.
Seymour Star 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place after 4th, mistake 2 out, plugged on, no impression, 5th of 11, 13l behind Tea For Two (10-11) at Towcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Dec.
