The ground is an unknown for several of these but VINO’S CHOICE doesn’t look badly treated on the pick of last year’s form, which included a win over fences here in November off a pound higher mark. Sarvi won a mares’ handicap over track and trip last month, when market rival Flood Defence finished tailed off, and is only 4lb higher while Shaws Bridge started favourite at Kelso in October. Karamoko and Zamarkhan are others to consider.
Sarvi 5-1jfav (11-5) Made virtually all, not fluent 4th, clear when dived at 3 out, reduced lead last, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Gemologist (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Shaws Bridge (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 4th, not fluent 3 out, close up 2 out, soon held, weakened flat, 4th of 15, 18l behind Rob Royal (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Shabba Dada Do (IRE) 40-1 (12-1) Raced keenly, chased leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, went 2nd again after 3 out until ridden next, weakened between last 2, 5th of 12, 21l behind Dylan's Sea Song (11-3) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Chosen Flame (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered 1st, headway before 4th, disputing 2nd 3 out, no extra next, 7th of 15, 30l behind Barnay (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Balranald (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, in touch when fell 4th, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Flood Defence (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-5) Held up towards rear, jumped left and not fluent 2nd, struggling 4 out, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Sarvi (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Karamoko (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 15, 19 1/4l behind Rob Royal (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Vino's Choice (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, one pace from 2 out, 8th of 14, dist behind Raymond (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Zamarkhan (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, modest headway 6th, ridden and progress to chase leaders when fell 2 out, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Broadway Joe (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, hampered 4th, headway before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 15, 29 1/2l behind Barnay (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Titus Bolt (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 10th of 12, 33 1/2l behind Sincerely Resdev (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Astute Boy (IRE) 200-1 (9-2) Led, headed 11f out, prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out, last of 11, 15 1/2l behind Hint Of Stars (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Mannochmore 6-1 (11-7) Led, bumped into by rival 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Laskadine (12-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Sauchiehall Street (IRE) 125-1 (11-4) Chased leaders out wide, went 2nd 3rd until after 3 out, weakened quickly soon towards rear, 12th of 14, dist behind Cash Again (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Crow Stone 50-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 21 3/4l behind Fool To Cry (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
