Longueville Flier won a similar contest over course and distance six weeks ago in which Be A Dreamer was an early casualty. Oscar Lateen had to be ridden out to justify favouritism over 2m4f at Newcastle but the longer trip should aid his cause, though he was beaten 10 lengths by What A Dream at Ayr previously and the latter has scored ince at the Scottish track. VEROCE is gradually getting there and came in for significant support earlier this month at Carlisle. Things could finally click into place here, though neither Thatildee nor the first-time blinkered Kalastar can be dismissed out of hand.
Pay The King (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 26 3/4l behind Wild Bill (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Feast Of Fire (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Always behind, 8th of 11, dist behind Ikorodu Road (11-11) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Longueville Flier (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, under pressure when mistake 12th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on approaching 3 out, led last, ridden out (1 fence omitted), won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Cara Court (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Jonny Eager (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 16 1/2l behind Finaghy Ayr (11-2) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Joseph Mercer (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, driven to challenge 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Courtown Oscar (11-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Oscar Lateen (IRE) 10-11fav (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 8th, clear last, kept up to work run-in, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Harleys Max (10-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
What A Dream 3-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Mumgos Debut (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Kalastar (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) In rear, pushed along 6th, headway to chased leaders before 3 out, weakened in 3rd after 2 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 22l behind Thatildee (10-6) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Thatildee (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Led to 14th, led again 15th, ridden and headed narrowly before last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Not A Bother Boy (12-5) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Veroce (FR) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 5th, rallied 3 out, kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Verko (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Treliver Manor (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, went 3rd and ridden after next, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 13, dist behind Marlee Massie (10-4) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Be A Dreamer 7-2 (10-12) Led, headed before 3rd, chased winner, beaten from before 2 out, 2nd of 3, 23l behind Raise A Spark (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Under The Red Sky (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Held up last, pushed along and struggling in 5th after 7th, never a factor, 5th of 6, 31 1/4l behind Got The Nac (10-13) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
