Classic Henri went close at Sedgefield last time and looks sure to be winning soon. He finished third to Bene Lad over C&D on his penultimate start and can confirm the form with today's rivals Winter Alchemy, Ravensbill and Crackerjack Lad who all finished behind him on that occasion. KINGS GUARD had Bene Lad behind when a cosy winner over today's trip at Newcastle and on that form should come out best here. Dropped in class, Alistair Whillans' charge can defy a 6lb rise in the weights and gets the vote.
Kings Guard (IRE) 5-2fav (10-6) Tracked leaders and keen, chased leaders in 3rd before 3 out, ridden before next, led before last, ran on stongly, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Double Default (11-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Circus Clown (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, hit 5th, ridden after next, mistake 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 24l behind Kilbrannish Hill (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Waltham Abbey 50-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division on outer, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 9th of 12, well behind Stopped Out (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
The Snatcher (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Behind, slow 2nd, weakened before 4 out, 8th of 11, 34l behind Swiss Art (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Winter Alchemy (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last, no impression, 4th of 10, 8l behind Bene Lad (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Crackerjack Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division after 4th, chased leaders under pressure approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 26l behind Bene Lad (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Seminal Moment 100-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 39l behind Empress Orchid (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Overyou 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, jumped right and blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 46l behind Sacco D'oro (11-3) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Just Posh 20-1 (9-11) Led to 2nd, tracked winner, lost place after 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 15, 17l behind Sunarri (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Lochore (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear and keen, headway to track leaders approaching 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up 3 out, tailed off, in a race won by Douglas Julian (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.
Classic Henri 8-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Sea Cliff (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Ravensbill (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, hit 5th and reminders when outpaced, headway on inner approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 39l behind Kings Guard (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Daasij (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 6th, soon ridden, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Roman History (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
