Old stager Polar Gunner ran his best race for a while at Newcastle last month but it will be a surprise if he doesn't find a few of these too quick for him nowadays. Riguez Dancer won't mind the heavy ground and got off the mark for the season at Wetherby last month but Harry Challoner's 7lb claim on board PRET A THOU may be enough to swing things in favour of the top weight. A real mudlark, the seven-year-old beat Knockavilla under similar conditions at Uttoxeter in February and is better off at the weights here. Sunday City seems better on a quicker surface, but Raysrock was only beaten a length at Kelso on his most recent start and has claims while King Ozzy can reverse recent Lingfield running with Noble Crusader.
Pret A Thou (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked winner, lost place after 5 out, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 45l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Lease Lend 9-1 (11-8) Mistakes throughout, held up towards rear and keen, reminders after 7th, never dangerous, 8th of 9, well behind Neptune Equester (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Riguez Dancer 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after last, kept on to lead final 100 yards, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Viable (11-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Noble Crusader (USA) 11-2 (11-9) In touch until ridden along and struggling in rear 5th, driven and rallied to 3rd before 3 out, chased leader 2 out, 3 lengths down approaching last, stayed on under strong pressure to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating King Ozzy (11-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sunday City (JPN) 6-4fav (11-5) Led until 3 out, soon under pressure, left in lead at last, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Moon Over Miami (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Knockavilla (IRE) 15-8 (11-9) Led until 1st, prominent, jumped right and bumped 7th, led after 9th, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out, mistake last, 3rd of 5, 35l behind Gilbarry (11-2) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 5 out, weakened from next, 6th of 8, well behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Kilkenny All Star (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 3 out, clear before last, easily, won at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov beating Peak Seasons (9-7) by 11l, 6 ran.
Raysrock (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Doeslessthanme (11-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
King Ozzy (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, led 4 out, 3 lengths ahead approaching last, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Noble Crusader (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Carrietau 8-1 (11-4) Led and soon clear, pushed along and headed after 5 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 44l behind Riguez Dancer (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Polar Gunner 25-1 (11-7) Led until after 3rd, led next, pressed from 4 out, ridden after 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Primrose Time (10-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
