Howard Johnson won this race last year with Quwetwo and he can repeat the dose with KING O'THE GYPSIES who is selected ahead of Dhaular Dhar and Master Fong. This looks a competitive race but the selection's first start over hurdles behind The Giant Bolster was a good start and he may have been unlucky to bump into the potentially smart Edge Of Town next time up Wetherby. He has been given plenty of time to get over that and this gelding might just appreciate the shorter trip this afternoon. Dhaular Dhar was better than him on the flat and is a player today. He was second to Farleigh House at Doncaster on his debut in this sphere and Jim Goldie likes to have winners here. However, there may be a slight stamina doubt at this more testing track for a horse who fared so well over seven furlongs on the flat. Master Fong is another flat recruit and he is trained by Don McCain who provided the horse to beat King O'The Gypsies at Wetherby, so any market support for this gelding would have to be taken seriously. His run behind Blue Nymph reads well but it is a little disconcerting to see the blinkers fitted today. Sundown Trail remains capable of better but may need more time, Lap Of Honour has more experience than most but his third to Sereth reads well and after a break he looks a threat, whilst Bannville's form looks patchy. Caerlaverock was decent on the flat and he was good enough to win a bumper at Wetherby last March so needs a second look on his hurdling bow, however the nod goes to King O'The Gypsies.
Bannville (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd 3 out, dropped to 6th and no impression under pressure from before 2 out, 7th of 11, 12l behind Rose's Emma (10-4) at Down Royal 2m nov hcp hdl 8Evens09 hvy.
Caerlaverock (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Held up, chased leaders over 5f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Beside The Fire (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Claude Carter 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 10, 27l behind Bygones Of Brid (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Farleigh House (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Dollar Mick (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear and beaten from 4 out, 7th of 8, well behind Catch Bob (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Eurohunter (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, moderate 4th from over 4f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 46l behind Clicksnmortar (12-0) at Roscommon 2m 4f N H flat fm in Jun.
Intersky Charm (USA) 66-1 (11-4) Behind, mistake 2nd, never dangerous, last of 10, well behind Ascendant (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
King O'The Gypsies (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Prominent, chased winner approaching 3 out, hit last, soon weakened, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Edge Of Town (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
King Penda (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, no chance from 6th, 10th of 13, 46l behind Rackham Lerouge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched right after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Sereth (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Middlemarch (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, never on terms, last of 15, well behind The Knoxs (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Quacity (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, mid-division, weakened 4f out, 12th of 16, well behind Fridaythorpe (11-0) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Sundown Trail (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, towards rear, not always fluent, last and struggling after 5th, 9th of 13, 45l behind Rackham Lerouge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs.
Moraira Magic (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 7th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Karingreason (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
King's Chorister 40-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 16, 37l behind Jeronimo Joe (10-7) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Markadam 20-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, never in contention, 9th of 13, 14l behind Russian Music (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec (flat).
Master Fong (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Made most, headed 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Blue Nymph (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
College Quest 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 14th of 16, well behind Diklers Oscar (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
