Polished gets a narrow vote over Dhehdaah, with Haditovski and Honest Endeavour just a few more with claims of a sort. Not the easiest of contests to go out on, and it is only with a small degree of confidence that Polished is selected to score. Victor Dartnell's charge has been profitable to follow all season, but has not been out since October and is taking a big hike up in grade. However, he lines up fit and ready after his mini-break and should go well. Dhehdaah has been runner-up on each of his two outings this term, including at Haydock last time, while Haditovski was put in his place by Honest Endeavour here in November and should just about be held again. Pay Attention ran well at Carlisle and Woody Valentine hails from an in-form stable so cannot be ruled out, and in a wide-open contest we return to Polished as the possible answer.
All Star (GER) 15-2 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, no extra before next, 5th of 19, 10l behind Verasi (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) hvy.
Pay Attention 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to lead 3 out, ridden, headed approaching next, every chance last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Diamond Sal (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov.
Woody Valentine (USA) 14-1 (10-11) In touch, driven to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened well before last, 4th of 11, 11l behind Motorway (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Executive Decision (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden after 9th, headway 2 out, hung left approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Old Marsh (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Honest Endeavour 25-1 (10-11) Led 2nd, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov beating Haditovski (10-8) by 7l, 10 ran.
Dhehdaah 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 19, 2 1/2l behind Border Castle (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Polished 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, jumped left 9th and 10th, led 2 out, hit last, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Melford (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Haditovski 9-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Honest Endeavour (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.
