What A Dream won this in 2015 and TITIAN BOY a year ago. The former has a long absence to overcome but the latter has a pipe-opener behind him and Brian Hughes can steer him to another victory. Orioninverness won a Hexham handicap on very heavy going in March then couldn't handle good ground on a return visit the following month so some rain would aid his cause unlike Havana Jack, who floundered in the mud here last time after scoring on better ground at Kelso. Mcginty's Dream was beaten a long way into second at Hexham last month while Alfred Oats is almost 14 and has never won, though did go close twice on this track around a year ago.
Titian Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, blundered 11th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, dist behind Harry Hunt (11-8) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Benarty Hill (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Alw pr, ld 1/2way, disp 3out & hdd 2out, no ch with easy wnr bef last, kow, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Lagan Island (12-2) at Moira 3m hvy in Dec.
Orioninverness (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, in 5th and ridden before last, no extra, 4th of 16, 20l behind Apache Pilot (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Havana Jack (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Harry Hunt (11-8) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Silverton 25-1 (11-6) In touch, blundered 3rd, mistake 7th, soon lost place, pulled up, at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
More Madness (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, lost place before 9th, 7th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Frank The Slink (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Mcginty's Dream (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Keen, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 11th, outpaced from 13th, plugged on but never any chance with unchallenged winner, 2nd of 3, 31l behind Very First Time (11-0) at Hexham 3m (4) hvy in Nov.
Alfred Oats 28-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4th, weakened 15th, 7th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Acdc (11-4) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
What A Dream 22-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 5 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Whitsundays (11-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Jackofhearts 50-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 24 3/4l behind Urtheoneiwant (11-5) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
