Viva Steve made most at Ayr and won a shade cosily. But the second has been beaten since and the longer trip may stretch his stamina. Harry The Viking stay forever but whether he’s still capable of winning at this level is open to debate. Aubusson has a touch of class but also the weight to match. Goodtoknow may also still be too high in the weights but the application of blinkers could spark a revival. This race is named after a former favourite of Sue Smith so Smooth Stepper could be interesting from near the foot of the handicap but we also fancy PORTRAIT KING to run well. Patrick Griffin’s raider is a pound lower than when third in last year’s Eider and has run better this season than his form figures would suggest. Lessons In Milan should be winning soon over fences judged on his third to stablemate Beware The Bear at Newbury but this is a very competitive handicap.
Aubusson (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 10th, mid-division, outpaced after 16th, never dangerous after, 9th of 19, 17 1/2l behind Native River (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Viva Steve (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Made most, clear 4 out to 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last, won at Ayr 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Ballyben (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Knockanrawley (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed and pecked 2 out, switched right before last, stayed on flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Doctor Harper (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway and in touch 13th, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 17, 29 1/4l behind Viconte Du Noyer (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Racing Pulse (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Held up, behind when badly hampered by loose horse and brought down 12th, at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Berea Boru (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Mid-division when leaving start, towards rear when in view after 5th, behind when in view after 9th, pulled up after, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Goodtoknow 33-1 (11-5) In touch, outpaced 5 out, ridden and no impression after next, lost modest 4th near finish, 5th of 14, 19l behind Lamb Or Cod (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Federici 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, jumped left and bumped 1st, not much room 11th (foinavon), well beaten after 3 out, 6th of 17, 33l behind As De Mee (11-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Lessons In Milan (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway tracking leaders 6th, jumped slowly next, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out until the last, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Beware The Bear (11-9) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Subtle Grey (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, blundered 10th, pushed along from 13th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, dist behind Ballyboker Breeze (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Spookydooky (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, outpaced 5 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, dist behind Lamb Or Cod (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Portrait King (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, not fluent 11th, mistake 15th (canal turn), 7th and no impression 2 out, 6th of 22, 15 3/4l behind Vieux Lion Rouge (10-9) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Rigadin De Beauchene (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led from 4th, headed before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 11, 23 1/2l behind Mysteree (10-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Harry The Viking 5-1 (10-6) Left in lead 1st, made rest, pressed from 5 out, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 4m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Carrigdhoun (11-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
Courtown Oscar (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Disputing lead leaving start, 2nd when in view after 5th, 13th and behind when in view after 14th, pulled up after, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Smooth Stepper 15-2 (10-13) In rear, effort from 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 18l behind Harry The Viking (10-6) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Wood Yer (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along in 4th before 14th, soon ridden, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 13, 32 1/4l behind Onderun (10-3) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
