Course and distance winner RESPLENDANT ACE has looked like a winner waiting to happen in his last two starts and we think this is his moment with Miss Christophene and Bushy Dell the other pair on our shortlist. Having only found the better treated on form Doubnov a short-head too good here on Thursday in a seller the pick returns to these ranks two pounds heavier than when missing out by a similar margin over longer at Wolverhampton six days previous. On the pick of his form he's still well treated and Paul Howling's yard are in decent knick at present. Miss Christophene is yet to win over this trip but does like this surface having won twice in six starts here. She went close off this mark 10 days ago and there's no reason she shouldn't run her race again. Bushy Dell can be given a chance on his current rating and seemed to handle this surface on his sole start while My Friend Fritz was expected to go better last time and with his excellent record here he has to be considered a live contender. This is a pretty tight handicap but Resplendent Ace has been unlucky not to get back in front recently and can put that right here.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 5-2 (9-6) Held up in rear, progress to 3rd over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, all out when headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Doubnov (9-12) at Southwell 1m 4f clm stks (6) fbs.
Mustajed 10-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakening when short of room over 2f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Bavarica (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f Am hcp (5) pol.
My Friend Fritz 11-4fav (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 10l behind Shadows Lengthen (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Orkney (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) With leader, led after 4f, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 10l behind Trip The Light (9-10) at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Miss Christophene (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, led on inside 3f out, strongly pressed when edged left and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, hd behind Charging Indian (9-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Bushy Dell (IRE) 9-2 (8-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Formidable Guest (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol.
