Venice Road ran promisingly on his reappearance here earlier this month and the Venetia Williams-trained gelding has to be respected but preference is for Earcomesannie, with Proud To Present rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has yet to win a race but has been running consistently well of late, including when chasing home a back-to-form Rifleman at Hereford last time. A reproduction of that effort may well suffice. Jim Best's runners can do little wrong at present but his representative Charlies Double needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge. Kim Bailey's Constantius is less exposed than most of these but has yet to win in any contest and has only been placed once, while Gray's Eulogy seems to be too high in the weights. Brendan Powell's Proud To Present looks to be going the right way and has to be respected but preference is for Earcomesannie who is taken to gain a deserved success.
Venice Road (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened next, 4th of 9, 22l behind Iwillrememberyou (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Proud To Present (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-3) Chased leaders, led 13th, headed before 2 out, beaten approaching last, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Elsie's Pride (11-4) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Gray's Eulogy 15-2 (11-1) In touch, ridden 12th, pulled up after next pulled up in race won by Strolling Vagabond (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
Charlies Double 9-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner from 11th, ridden 13th, soon outpaced, 4th of 16, 21l behind Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Earcomesannie (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 13th, led 15th, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Rifleman (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gd in Nov.
Red Ensign 40-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, close up until dropped to rear 7th, no chance after, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Hobbs Hill (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Constantius 5-1 (10-8) Held up behind, headway after 11th, ridden before next, led 2 out, headed and stumbled last, weakened, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Deep Quest (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Nov.
Carnt Spell 8-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 49l behind Big Al (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Furze Hill (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Soon tailed off, last of 9, well behind Nacadour (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf.
Valley Warrior 12-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, reminders 11th, headway before 14th, lost place 16th, 9th of 12, well behind Present M'lord (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
