MISTER NEWBY concedes weight all round but does house the best racecourse form on offer, following up a solid Wetherby debut second with a battling success at Plumpton. That represents a decent level in the context of this race and he can supplement those gains. Flaming Charmer is a possible improver for a yard that does nicely in this sphere and Houroftime brings some fair pointing form to the table on his bumper debut. However, bigger threats may loom in the form of a couple of interesting newcomers in Lower Hope Dandy and Tolkeins Tango. The market should be the best indicator of their chances for the Williams and Dartnall yards respectively.
Mister Newby (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec beating Ballylifen (11-2) by nk, 14 ran.
Contador (IRE) Right Win gelding out of Norton Gale.
Fred The Shred (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Green and bucking after start, rear, headway over 5f out, went modest 4th and veered left over 1f out, 4th of 16, 33l behind Cool George (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
General Ross (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, no chance with front pair over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 21l behind New Year's Eve (10-2) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jan.
Houroftime (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Ld & jumped right throughout, hdd aftr 3out, sn no ch with wnr, ko, 2nd of 7, 4l behind William Money (11-7) at Tramore Point to Point 3m ire ptp gf in Apr.
Lower Hope Dandy Karinga Bay gelding out of Cheeky Mare.
Regal Flow 33-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 7f out, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 40l behind Danandy (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Riviere Ruby 80-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, weakened and tailed off 6f out, 7th of 10, well behind Il Presidente (11-4) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) hvy in Jan.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 19l behind Starving Marvin (10-7) at Warwick 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Tolkeins Tango (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Aule.