Given Alan Swinbank's impressive strike rate in bumpers it makes sense to look no further than Katapult with Anay Car, Patriot and Walamo three of the likelier challengers. The betting should shed more light on this contest but Swinbank has saddled three winners from just nine runners in this sphere at this venue in recent years and his gelding certainly looks the part on paper. Howard Johnson won this race with Astarador in 2006 so any support for Anay Car, a half-brother to winners in France, would look significant. Patriot has shown promise in two starts without looking anything out of the ordinary but Walamo takes the eye on paper and Tom Tate is no stranger to success in these contests. However, Katapult is taken to hit the target.
Baileys Surprise (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, always towards rear, 9th of 15, 37l behind Corkage (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec.
Coastley (IRE) Lord Americo gelding out of unraced Cosima.
Katapult (GER) Dashing Blade gelding, half-brother to numerous winners up to 1m4f and over hurdles.
Poseidon (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 4th of 9, 12l behind Still At Lunch (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Rolecarr (IRE) Tragic Role gelding, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Hazy Oaks Classic Cliche mare out of winning chaser Island Mist.
Pippistrel 25-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened 6f out, 14th of 17, 24l behind Cornerback (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Anay Car (FR) Sleeping Car gelding out of middle-distance winner Anayette.
Henry Hotspur Defacto gelding out of 1m-1m3f winner Mirror Four Sport.
Lord Raspberry 22-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakenend final 2f, 7th of 16, 17l behind Weather Front (10-7) at Wetherby 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Patriot (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Soon steadied in touch, smooth headway on outside 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon led, headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Spanish Cruise (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov.
Spare Days Cloudings gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Walamo (GER) Mujahid gelding, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Ethel Briggs Karinga Bay filly, half-sister to high-class chaser Ashley Brook.
