Young Dancer may be able to bounce back to form and take the opener from Khachaturian and I'm Your Man. The selection returned a well beaten and disappointing favourite on his sole start of the season over 2 miles six back in November but may be worth chancing to bounce back with his yard's horses continuing to run well. The trip is on the short side but he is one of the few runners in the race sure to be suited by the testing conditions and he should be thereabouts if near his best. The booking of promising conditional, Kevin Tobin, for Khachaturian takes the eye as, not only is he one of the most experienced pilots in the race, but he also won on his only other ride for the McCain yard. He's not been at his best of late but is of interest on the pick of his form. I'm Your Man was well beaten on his return but he won on heavy ground over course and distance in May 2006 and it would be no surprise to see him go well but for the selection, we come back to Young Dancer.
Young Dancer (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Mid-division, hit 6th, hampered 7th, headway approaching next, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 14, 37l behind Kealshore Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Khachaturian (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden 5th and no impression when blundered 2 out, 7th of 12, 32l behind Onefourfun (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
I'm Your Man 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 5th, 11th of 13, well behind Sculastic (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Speed Venture 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 15, 17l behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Lear (USA) 14-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sun King (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs, 10 ran.
Bollin Ruth 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 27l behind Inch High (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Film Festival (USA) 10-1 (10-13) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, 6th of 13, 14l behind Sculastic (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Amazing King (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 3rd after 6th, challenged 3 out, soon in lead, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Hawk Gold (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Upright Ima 20-1 (11-3) Held up, never near leaders, 6th of 15, 26l behind Primitive Academy (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Majestic Chief 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place from 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 33l behind Los Nadis (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
The Client (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 9th, 10th of 14, well behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
