Recent winners Soviet Palace and Circus Polka could dominate here and it is the former who is taken to win again. The application of an eye-shield did the trick for the selection when he came home to win by a head last time out. He drops in trip now which may not be a negative for this front-runner and with confidence now high, another big run looks on the cards. Methaaly is consistent and is sure to be in pitching for a place but rarely wins this season. Angaric ran fairly well in defeat when last seen and money for Bryan Smart's inmate would arouse some interest, whilst Distant Sun has been in consistent form of late and looks sure to run well. Circus Polka won a weak race well last time but has more on his hands here, however it is Soviet Palace who can win again.
Soviet Palace (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Made all, ridden and edged right 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Baan (9-0) by a hd, 7 ran.
Monkey Glas (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Pulled hard, led 7f out, headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 2l behind Atlantic Story (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Angaric (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Painted Sky (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcap (5) pol.
Distant Sun (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Cha Cha Cha (8-12) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Best One 16-1 (8-9) Soon tracking winner, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Halsion Chancer (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Personify 11-2fav (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 10l behind Malinsa Blue (8-12) at Pontefract 1m hcap (5) frm in Sept.
Methaaly (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Realt Na Mara (8-12) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Passato (GER) (9-4) Never in contention, 8th of 18, 8l behind Mamzelle Alex (8-8) at Chantilly 1m 1f in Oct.
Circus Polka (USA) 9-2fav (8-12) Led, headed after 1f, remained in touch, regained lead over 2f out, ran on final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov beating Moonstreaker (9-1) by 3l, 13 ran.
Benllech 16-1 (9-0) In touch, shaken up to challenge over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 5l behind Desert Dreamer (9-5) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Cow Girl (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Keen, rapid headway to lead over 5f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Goose Green (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
