The weather will dictate who actually takes part in this. Both Valtor and West Approach have preferred engagements on Saturday and JEPECK was also entered at both Haydock and Ascot yesterday. But the latter is taken to continue an excellent season if taking part and notch a fourth success from five starts having battled on very bravely last time to land a big pot at Sandown in the veterans' final. Sametegal has returned from a very long absence to run two fine races in useful company while Perfect Candidate is another to note.
West Approach 12-1 (11-2) Held up rear of mid-division, not fluent 2nd, well beaten after 18th, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Valtor (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Held up tracking leaders on inside, closer in 3rd at 15th, hit 17th, went 2nd next until the last, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Yala Enki (11-0) at Taunton 3m 4f (2) hvy in Jan.
King's Odyssey (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, not much room 3rd, not fluent 7th, plugged on from 4 out, went 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Nuts Well (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Sametegal (FR) 13-2 (11-8) Chased leaders until mistake 1st, off the pace in mid-division, headway 8th, chased leaders 10th, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Just A Sting (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Jepeck (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 8th, led before 2 out, ridden clear when hampered by loose horse before last, hung right and strongly pressed run-in, stayed on gamely, all out, won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Regal Flow (10-9) by shd, 14 ran.
Le Rocher (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden and plugged on in modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Deise Aba (10-7) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led until 4th, chased winner, reminder after 13th and 14th, lost 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner from next, gamely took 2nd again after last, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Lord Du Mesnil (11-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Strong Pursuit (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led and set strong pace, clear with rival, reduced lead 11th (water), reached for 14th and headed, lost 2nd and weakening when mistake 4 out, 6th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Copperhead (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Regal Flow 33-1 (11-0) Led and disputed, hit 11th, headed next, lost 2nd after 14th, weakened before 15th, behind when blundered next and pulled up, at Taunton 3m 4f (2) hvy in Jan.
