This is a weak affair even though it features three previous course and distance winners, including last year’s victor Hurricane Rita. GANNICUS has been running slightly better than form figures would suggest and is now a pound lower than when just beaten at Plumpton in the autumn. Big Chip And Pin has a long absence to overcome but is worth a market check. Gin And Tonic also returns from a lay-off but may be the pick of the remainder ahead of Eolian.
Eolian 66-1 (11-0) In rear, beaten 3 out, 7th of 12, 21 3/4l behind War Brigade (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Big Chip And Pin 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, well beaten from next, went modest 4th after 3 out, 4th of 8, 37l behind Jenkins (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Gannicus 16-1 (11-1) Led until after 3 out, hung left and weakened quickly before next, 7th of 10, 18 1/4l behind First Quest (11-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Dove Mountain (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Dwelt towards rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Cold Harbour (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Vocal Heir (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) In rear, well behind front trio before 3 out, plugged on from last bend to take remote 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Atlantic Storm (11-2) at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Oct.
Dream Baie (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 2 out, plugging on in well held 3rd when blundered last, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind First Quest (11-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Torrent Des Mottes (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed after 4th, led after 3 out, awkward and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 7, 5l behind Murchison River (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) gf in Dec.
Gin And Tonic 7-2jfav (10-12) Always behind, beaten 4 out, pulled up next, at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Hurricane Rita (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never a threat, 6th of 12, 17l behind Lightentertainment (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.