An open contest for the stayers and a speculative selection is ALAMINOS, while Sashenka and Jades Double should also be competitive. The selection has not shown a huge amount so far, but trainer David Pipe clearly feels that stamina will be his strength given how he has been campaigned so far. The master of Pond House tries the cheek pieces that have been so effective on some of his more prominent inmates and we hope that they will work the oracle here. Sashenka went well in a selling handicap here last time and sees this trip out well. Cut in the ground suits, although she is unproven on heavy. Jades Double loves to get her toe in and this sort of trip is ideal. Now 4lb lower than her last win, she is back in with a shout. That's For Sure would have to improve to win this, but does handle the ground and might make the frame, while Mikado Melody will relish conditions but has plenty of weight to lump around and is opposed given recent form. Alaminos is the one for us.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Raced on inside, led, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened, 4th of 8, 23l behind Midnight Chase (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Aya 11-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, under pressure and lost place before 6th, well behind when, 6th of 9, 38l behind Hoof It Harry (10-6) at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Gallileo Figaro (USA) 11-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 32l behind Festival King (10-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Geography (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened before 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Midnight Chase (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Jades Double 7-2 (11-8) Tended to jump right, led, mistake before and headed 9th, weakened quickly next, 8th of 9, well behind Burgess Hill (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Celtic Heather (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 7th of 16, 26l behind Lawgiver (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Sashenka 3-1 (11-10) Led to 6th, regained lead next, 5 lengths clear 2 out, reduced lead on long run before last, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Heir To Be (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Alaminos (FR) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden and weakened after 5th, 8th of 10, well behind Tataniano (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Amazing Request 6-1 (9-11) Held up, hit 3rd, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind Marigolds Way (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
English Jim (IRE) 22-1 (10-1) Mid-division, struggling a dropped rear 4th, plugged on approaching 2 out, went remote 4th before last, 4th of 19, 30l behind Youngstown (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Paradise Expected 10-1 (10-10) In touch until weakened after 7th, 11th of 17, 47l behind Ruling Reef (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
That's For Sure 13-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, chased winner from 3 out, beaten between last 2 and weakened before last, 4th of 15, 23l behind She's No Muppet (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl (5) gs in Jan.
