EAGLE OWL is the nominal selection although support for the likes of Sprinter Sacre and Management would be of obvious interest. The selection showed promise at Carlisle on debut behind a stablemate and a horse that Alan Swinbank rates very highly. The stablemate has been well backed and beaten since but just looked to be unfortunate to bump into another above average prospect. There's a chance that the same fate may befall Eagle Owl but that run at Carlisle looks to set the standard here. Nicky Henderson has sent out a couple of winning newcomers in recent days and the market has been a fairly decent guide to expectations and it would be no surprise to see Sprinter Sacre occupy a prominent position in the betting. Management is related to the useful Bambi De L'Orme so looks the part on paper and represents a yard in form but there are a host of other interesting newcomers to consider and the market may be useful although that wasn't the case last year. Trojan Reef is a particularly interesting runner but we'll side with the proven form of Eagle Owl.
Benamy Boy First Trump gelding out of Carol Again.
Eagle Owl (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, carried left inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Royal Swain (10-12) at Carlisle 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Jersey Boys 5-1fav (11-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 10l behind Reverend Green (10-7) at Southwell 1m 6f 4yo nhf (4) std.
Journeyman (IRE) Anshan gelding out of Daizinni.
Jupiter Warning 9-1 (10-7) Prominent, tracked leader 10f out, ridden over 4f out, led over 3f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, nk behind Dort Tranquille (11-5) at Southwell 1m 6f NH flat (4) std.
Management (IRE) True Brave gelding out of Princesse Ira.
Pie At Midnight 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 12l behind Royal Riviera (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 5f 3yo nhf (5) hvy in Dec.
Pre Raphaelite (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, struggling over 3f out, never near leaders, 10th of 15, 13l behind Tetlami (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) sft.
Presenting Ace (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Sesame Squeeze.
Quilip (IRE) Traditionally gelding out of Quittance.
Rationing (IRE) Hernando colt out of Scarcity.
Sir Bere (FR) Della Francesca gelding out of Known Alibi.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) Network gelding out of Fatima Iii.
Tale Of Tanganyika (FR) King's Best gelding out of White Rose.
Thurnham Tobougg gelding out of Nobratinetta.
Trojan Reef Selkirk gelding out of Milly Of The Vally.
Accamelia Shinko Forest filly out of Bo' Babbity.
Dancing Legend 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 24l behind Alpine Breeze (10-5) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo flls NH flat (5) hvy in Dec.
Fraam Lea Fraam filly out of Castanet.
Legbeforewicket Silver Patriarch filly out of Shazana.
Polarity Hamas filly out of Snowy Mantle.
Yemeni Princess (IRE) Bahri filly out of Celtic Ballet.
