A tricky puzzle to solve but Saint John Henry goes on the short list as he usually wins if he stands up, though was just starting to weaken when falling at Cheltenham on his reappearance. Slim Pickens kept on for pressure when second at Sandown 12 days ago and races off the same mark while Captainofindustry hasn't been disgraced in two runs in handicaps and should be thereabouts. PRINCESS TARA ran well for a long way over a longer trip at Chepstow and will strip fitter here. Peter Bowen's mare is a course and distance winner on heavy ground and can return to winning ways with Golden Milan often flattering to deceive.
Slim Pickens (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear in touch, ridden on outside when left 4th 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in, took 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Clondaw Banker (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Saint John Henry (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, not fluent and headed 5th, ridden and losing place when fell 4 out, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Golden Milan (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, behind when hampered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Princess Tara (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Sykes (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Lava Lamp (GER) 10-1 (11-12) Last pair, pushed along and behind from 7th, 8th of 10, 34 1/4l behind Tobefair (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Fishing Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 7th, mistake next, mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Molly's A Diva (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Looks Like Power (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, plugged on approaching 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 15, 25 3/4l behind Masterplan (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Captainofindustry (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Pressed leader, led 3rd, headed 3 out, 4th and one pace before last, weakened flat, 4th of 14, 14 1/4l behind Monbeg Gold (11-11) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
