Tom Scudamore prefers Carqalin to stablemate Nice Thoughts but both have been disappointing. Fergal O'Brien's string is firing on all cylinders and his Annie Alainn beat an in-form rival at Hereford a month ago, though has been raised 7lb for that. Wistari Rocks has been on a roll but is 13lb higher than when his winning run began. THUNDERING HOME is only 3lb higher than when successful at Wincanton in the spring and has won twice here in the past. Richard Mitchell's grey caught the eye on the course last month and may be ready to return to winning ways.
Nice Thoughts (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) In rear, shaken up briefly 2nd, closed before 4th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, not fluent and left 3rd 2 out, mistake and dropped to 4th last, 4th of 5, 27l behind Angus Glens (11-9) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Beatabout The Bush (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, dist behind Aliandy (11-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Carqalin (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Verygoodverygood (12-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Wistari Rocks (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Guantoshol (11-8) by 6l, 12 ran.
Coyaba 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened soon after next, left distant 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Songsmith (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Thundering Home 20-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden before last, no extra, 7th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Third Act (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Jump And Jump (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Led, clear from 3rd, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Queens Present (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Kastani Beach (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, reminders after 4th and next, plugged on run-in, never involved, 5th of 11, 25l behind Maid Of Tuscany (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
Serveontime (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Peak To Peak (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Annie Alainn (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on inside, 2nd from 3 out, led after next, driven and pressed flat, held on well close home, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating On Demand (11-13) by nk, 10 ran.
Kayf Charmer 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 28l behind Bobble Boru (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Hija 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced in 5th after 3 out, hit 2 out, plugged on into modest 4th last, 4th of 11, 9l behind Lets Go Dutchess (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
