Eljaddaaf has been racing over further recently but has a shout given he won last year’s renewal. Desert Doctor narrowly beat Human Nature over track and trip a fortnight ago with Ultimate Avenue further back but had earlier finished behind runner-up Merhoob at Lingfield. The latter should go close again after struggling over the minimum trip last time but the vote goes to DANZAN. Andrew Balding’s charge was not at his best on the Fibresand at Southwell recently but placed efforts in tough conditions' races before that suggest he can go close in this company. Watchable has yet to win on the all-weather and Rose Berry is upped in class.
Danzan (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Close up, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Midnight Malibu (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Eljaddaaf (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Happy Escape (8-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Merhoob (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, under pressure over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Encore d'Or (9-0) at Newcastle 5f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Ultimate Avenue (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Desert Doctor (9-1) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Desert Doctor (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Human Nature (8-9) by hd, 9 ran.
Watchable 9-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Gorgeous Noora (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Human Nature (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Desert Doctor (9-1) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Rose Berry 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 8th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Indian Tygress (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.