Annsam won his maiden here in May last year and got back to winning ways over a longer trip at Taunton last month. He’s been raised 5lb but is still on an upward curve so much respected. But the headstrong BRANDON CASTLE may well get an uncontested lead in this small field and should be approaching peak fitness after a couple of runs – he holds Linger on Kempton running. Show On The Road looked no nearer winning last spring, despite slipping down the weights, and has changed stables.
Linger (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Chased leader until after 2nd, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Miranda (10-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Brandon Castle 12-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, led, hit 3 out, headed and weakened on long run before 2 out, 6th of 10, 32 3/4l behind Miranda (10-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Annsam 14-1 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3 out, ridden between last 2, went 2nd last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Le Ligerien (10-13) by 1l, 15 ran.
Show On The Road 5-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, lost place after next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 21 1/2l behind Sizing At Midnight (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
