Charlie Tango, Turbo and Merryvale Man are on the shortlist and we will be speaking in favour of the first named. Charlie Tango does not have too much experience of soft going but he handled it adequately at Sedgefield and could be difficult to peg back if given a soft lead. Turbo continues his round of stable tours and has now joined Mick Easterby from Terry Mills. He has ability but his quirks are very well known and any punting interest has to be tempered in acceptance of those very public faults. Merryvale Man rallied well to win a race here at the beginning of the month. He was very quick to wave the white flag on his most recent start and is watched here. George Stubbs is another individual to have quirks. He can pull hard in the early part of his races and can ill afford to do that on going that he has little experience of. Bollin Thomas has disappointed of late and will need to regain his form before he enters calculation. Wainak has had training problems and is making a return to the National Hunt game after almost two years away. Charlie Tango does have obvious concerns about the going but he is at least in form and can rate as a fair pick in a competitive race.
Turbo (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up, smooth headway to track leading pair after 3 out, chased winner and every chance flat, no extra near finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Oct.
The Joker (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 11th of 16, 36l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Charlie Tango (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, well behind Arry Dash (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
George Stubbs (USA) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened run-in, 4th of 13, 9l behind Estepona (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Yammy Wilson (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Prominent, 3rd halfway, weakened 3 out, 16th of 24, 25l behind Jamie's Boy (10-7) at Naas 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 sft.
Merryvale Man 20-1 (10-5) Led, headed approaching 4th, weakened 4 out, 12th of 16, 40l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Bollin Thomas 13-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway, every chance approaching 3 out, 3rd and one pace when fell 2 out in race won by The Names Bond (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Wainak (USA) 11-4 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on no impression, 2nd of 5, 4l behind It's Definite (11-6) at Market Rasen 3m nov hdl (D) gd in Aug '04.
Timbuktu 18-1 (10-0) Led from 1st, headed after 4th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Merryvale Man (10-1) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 100-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Bogus Dreams (10-11) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Mar.
Maradan (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Merryvale Man (10-1) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
