Arrivederci, coming along nicely, can prove competitive again alongside Eritage and Igor, who represent Nicholls and Henderson respectively. The latter is especially interesting as he steps down considerably in trip - his last outing having been a decent sixth in a 3m Pertemps qualifier where he travelled strongly until staying on at the one pace. Lieutenant Rocco is also penalised for a smooth success last time at Chepstow and cannot be discounted in what looks a stronger race. The Pauling yard had a winner recently and SHAKEM UP'ARRY has come up against talented sorts in Mister Coffey and Shishkin the last twice at Newbury and can make the most of the 6lb received from the penalised quartet.
Arrivederci (FR) 6-4 (11-5) Held up in touch, challenged 2 out, led and edged left before last, stayed on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) sft in Jan beating Rhosneigr (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Eritage (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Led, joined 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Masters Legacy (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Igor 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 3rd, not fluent 6th, led before 4 out, headed 3 out, beaten 2 out, hit last, 6th of 14, 9l behind Silver Sheen (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Lieutenant Rocco (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Made all, clear before last, easily, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Islandray (11-2) by 11l, 8 ran.
Ardbruce (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up well in rear, no chance when slightly hampered 4 out, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Brinkley (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden entering straight, 3rd at last, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 22, 1l behind Blue Sari (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
Cannie Lad 66-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Tile Tapper (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Honest Exchange (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Tr ldrs, 2nd 1/2way, ld 3out, ko well from before last, won at Tinahely 3m sft in Nov beating Coach Road (11-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
Into The Woods (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Legende de Minuit 28-1 (11-2) Not that fluent in rear, behind when pulled up before 8th, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Longshanks (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Hdwy 15; led 2 out til hdd & wknd app last, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Banco De Logos (12-0) at Upcott Cross 3m mdn gs in Apr.
Mister Timmytucks 20-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, headway into 2nd before 3 out until 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, dist behind Unwin Vc (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.
Percy Pops 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on long run to 2 out, kept on into modest 3rd final strides, 3rd of 12, 7 1/4l behind Butterwick Brook (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 7-4jfav (10-12) Led, ridden headed and readily outpaced run-in, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Shishkin (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Silver Nickel (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Soon behind, struggling 5th, lost touch after 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 13, dist behind Fiddlerontheroof (10-12) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Dec.
Kingsmill Gin 80-1 (11-0) Held up off the pace in last pair, closer at 7th, 3rd before stumbled next, pushed along and one pace before 3 out, no impression, hit next, 3rd of 6, 14 1/2l behind Kilconny Bridge (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
