A competitive start to proceedings and we will side with MAKE HASTE to get the better of Ballycarney and Ockey de Neulliac. The selection was a little disappointing at Ascot last time out but that was over 2m6f and the return to this trip will certainly suit. The stable are in decent form and he looks a good bet to get his head in front. Ballycarney could be the fly in the ointment as this five-year-old is lightly-raced and he ran a blinder last time out when chasing home Bakbenscher at Newbury. He was a big price that day so if he can build on that then he should be capable of getting competitive. Ockey de Neulliac was sent off joint favourite last time out and he was a little disappointing when he finished sixth behind Comhla Ri Coig. He is capable of better than that and the yard have been in decent form so he is not one to dismiss lightly. Papradon is from a yard who have gone off the boil so he is probably best watched, and we will return to Make Haste as the pick.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 11-4jt-fav (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 46l behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ballycarney (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, chased leader, hit 7th, every chance 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, 4th of 16, 6l behind Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Fishing Instructor 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division to 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, well behind Grand Theatre (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Galapagos Islands 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tot Of The Knar (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Magellan Straits 7-1 (11-1) Led over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 17, 10l behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Make Haste (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division until dropped rear 8th, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on from next, 6th of 16, 9l behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, some progress 9th, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, 6th of 16, 21l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
My Midas 40-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, outpaced 6f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 47l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Papradon 12-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, good headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, always held, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Graylyn Ruby (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Paradigm Investor (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 15th of 18, well behind Noble Alan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Nov '07.
Pheidias (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, driven last, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Presque Perdre 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, mistake last, last of 7, 23l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Springfield Gunner 50-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, held up towards rear, behind when mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Wednesdays Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 23l behind Bolodenka (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Dancing Dik 18-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 34l behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Seven Stars 80-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 16, 28l behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
