Vroom and Viva Verglas finished practically upsides at Southwell last time and the latter is one of five previous course winners in this. Kyllach Me and AMBITIOUS BOY are others and, though the latter is 2lb out of the handicaps, it’s John O’Shea’s charge that gets the vote as he’s hinted at a revival since the cheekpieces were put back on and Franny Norton is a decent jockey booking. Captain Bond makes his handicap debut on a decent mark and has a nice all-weather pedigree so shouldn’t be far away and Tally's Song and Scotch Myst are others with decent claims.
Vroom (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden halfway, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 7 1/2l behind First Excel (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Viva Verglas (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) In touch, short lived effort over 1f out, 7th of 10, 7 1/2l behind First Excel (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Beau Mistral (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Prominent on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Lydiate Lady (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp fll (5) pol in Nov.
Captain Bond 22-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Bobby Joe Leg (9-5) at Newcastle 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Scotch Myst 33-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Sentinel (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Kyllach Me (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Breathoffreshair (9-5) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Wedgewood Estates 33-1 (9-0) In touch, wide into straight 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Hidden Stash (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tally's Song 100-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Zenovia (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Ambitious Boy 25-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 4l behind Thorntoun Lady (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Fred's Filly 66-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, well beaten final 2f, last of 14, 15 1/4l behind Secret Bird (9-7) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (7) pol in Nov.
