Investment Affair has already won twice over 2m6f here this season and seems sure to be thereabouts. He's now a 12-year-old, however, and this will be his first try over 3m. Evella can be forgiven her comeback run in heavy ground in the Sussex National where she jumped well in front before tiring. The mare won the beginners' chase over C&D on this card 12 months ago but SPRINGFIELD RAKI has also won a beginners' chase over C&D and ran a lot better than the final result suggests in the Lincolnshire National last time. Dropped in distance, he can recapture the winning thread today as Pheidias always seems to find at least one too good and Emperor Concerto returns from a lengthy absence.
Emperor Concerto 15-2 (11-4) In rear, under pressure 11th, soon behind, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Calusa Caldera (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Evella (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led until 14th, ridden next, weakened 4 out, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Double Dizzy (10-9) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy, 9 ran.
Springfield Raki 6-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 10th, chased winner 14th until ridden 2 out, kept on one pace and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 8, 16l behind Wide Receiver (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Pheidias (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Led, hard driven when strongly challenged 3 out, headed after next, soon weakened, remote 3rd, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Lady Karabaya (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Investment Affair (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 12th, soon chase winner, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Frontier Spirit (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
