Arian has only found one too good in three starts this season and her run behind Woolstone One at Ffos Las in October has worked out well. She has a mares’ allowance in her favour here but is rated 3lb lower than DOC CARVER by the handicapper and Henry Oliver’s gelding looked the likely winner at Towcester two runs ago when coming to grief – he didn’t really enjoy the better ground at Plumpton subsequently. None of the remaining trio make much appeal off level weights.
Doc Carver (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden and pressing for 2nd after 3 out, one pace and beaten before 2 out, lost 3rd last, 4th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Not Never (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Fifty Shades (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Chased leaders to 5th, soon behind and pushed along, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gs in Aug.
Marble Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Not always fluent, prominent, led after 3rd, headed before 5th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, dist behind Nelson's Touch (11-2) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Stanza Boy (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Chased leader over 10f, weakened rapidly, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Espoir De Teillee (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m (6) gd in Apr.
Arian (IRE) 6-5fav (11-2) Tracked winner, not fluent 2 out, rallied flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Kaloci (11-2) at Leicester 2m (3) hvy in Jan.
