I'M IN THE PINK is slightly worse off at the weights than when beating Perfect Reward by four and a half lengths at Taunton at the end of last month but David Evans' gelding has since finished third in an arguably stronger seller at the west country track and can confirm the form here with McCoy back on board. If I Had Him won twice on the Flat last year and got off the mark over hurdles in a Taunton seller in November. He can't be discounted but Venetian Dove has more to do than when scoring at Fakenham and the four-year-old Moonbalej lacks an extra gear.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 7-4fav (11-8) Close up, headway on outside to chase leaders 2 out, one pace before last, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Chrysander (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gs.
Perfect Reward 15-8 (11-1) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, ridden soon after, headed before last, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind I'm In The Pink (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gs in Dec.
If I Had Him (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, reminders approaching and left in lead 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Dark Energy (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Nicky Nutjob (GER) 25-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 7l behind Big Talk (10-6) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Shoudhavenownbettr (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In rear after 2nd, behind when hampered, passed stragglers latter stages, tailed off, 6th of 16, well behind Grey Gold (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Vogarth 40-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden 4th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Spice Bar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Venetian Dove (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Always travelling well, in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear last, eased near finish, won at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov beating Ouest Eclair (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Lambrini Lace (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) Awkward start, held up in rear, headway halfway, soon tracking leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, eased, last of 9, well behind No Complaining (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec (flat).
Starburst 50-1 (10-12) Held up in 7th until lost place and last pair after 4th, tailed off, 6th of 13, 28l behind Chrysander (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gs.
Kingston Folly 50-1 (9-2) Dropped out start, held up in rear, not clear run, bumped and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Lucas Pitt (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Moonbalej 7-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, 4th of 12, 14l behind Lady Pacha (9-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Starry Mount 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind No Complaining (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol (flat).
Dane Cottage 5-1 (8-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 10l behind Black Coffee (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-68 (6) pol (flat).
