SCARLET DRAGON could be a smart novice if he learned to settle as he quickly settled matters at Huntingdon last month with a fine turn of foot, fitting for a gelding that was placed in Group 3 company on the Flat. Doctor Dex wasn't winning out of turn at Wetherby and the second has gone one better since but he looks to be facing a stiff task against the selection off level weights. Crimson Skies is an interesting newcomer but Qawamees at Newcastle after his third at Wetherby. The latter’s trainer also runs Capton, who is a likely improver.
Doctor Dex (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, effort to challenge bypassing omitted 2 out, soon ridden, led before last, kept on under pressure flat (2nd last flight omitted), won at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gd in Jan beating Constancio (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Scarlet Dragon 2-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, in touch in mid-division, closed 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, clear last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Kingofthecotswolds (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Archippos 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along before 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace, never troubled leaders, 6th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Doctor Dex (11-5) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gd in Jan.
Capton 11-4 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, slow 6th, weakened before 3 out, soon hanging left, 9th of 10, dist behind Mountain Hawk (11-5) at Newcastle 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Fenjack (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after next, at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
Fransham 20-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, steady headway before 2 out, chasing leaders when hung right before the last, disputing well held 2nd run-in, weakened towards finish, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Shanty Alley (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Jan.
Gold Fields 14-1 (11-2) In rear, some headway 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Garrettstown (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
Near Kettering 200-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until weakened before 3 out, last of 7, dist behind Constancio (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Jan.
Emma Lamb 18-1 (10-5) Held up in touch on outside, still there and going well enough when pulled up quickly after 4 out, at Doncaster 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Uisce Ur (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, mistake and ridden 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Une Lavandiere (11-5) at Listowel 2m 6f hvy in Sep.
Qawamees (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, never on terms, remote 5th, 5th of 15, 31 3/4l behind Rouge Vif (11-11) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Crimson Skies (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 13, 20 1/4l behind Bayston Hill (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
