Twenty Eight Guns won three times just over a year ago and has been running in better company, though without showing the expected progress. Stuart Crawford sent Elusive Theatre to Ayr last month for a handicap hurdle where she won with a bit in hand. She has a victory over fences to her credit and is certain to attract support though she has plenty of weight to concede to CARALINE. Micky Hammond's mare, already five times a winner over the bigger obstacles including at this grade at Wetherby on Boxing Day, is 6lb higher but her rider's claim takes care of the extra and this looks a good opportunity.
Elusive Theatre (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Prominent, led before 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating One For Harry (11-10) by 3l, 9 ran.
Twenty Eight Guns 10-1 (10-12) In rear, went 3rd before 5 out, lost 3rd place when no extra from last, last of 5, 20 3/4l behind Rene's Girl (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Caraline (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 1st, headed before 4 out, tracked leader, led before last, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
