Asking Questions has only gone up a couple of pounds since his second to Steel Native, who runs earlier on the card, at Ffos Las. Vado Forte left previous form behind when runner-up at Southwell but his stamina will have to be taken on trust over this longer trip. SHROUGHMORE LASS had been making steady progress before getting off the mark at Chepstow. She stayed 3m between the flags so this distance should present few problems for Henry Oliver’s mare, who can shrug off a 9lb rise in the ratings. None of the others make much appeal on recent form.
Shroughmore Lass (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden before 2 out, drew clear between last 2, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov beating Llantara (11-9) by 5l, 12 ran.
Vado Forte (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased clear leader next, every chance approaching last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Hey Bob (10-0) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Caviar D'Allen (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Prominent, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 13, 32l behind Padleyourowncanoe (10-1) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Boxer Beat (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Hdwy & cl 3rd when ur 8, at Dingley 3m gd in May.
Asking Questions (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 5 out, ridden before 2 out, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Steel Native (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
We'll Be There 7-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Gonnabegood (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Itsaboutime (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on run-in, 5th of 17, 7 3/4l behind Bernisdale (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Yellow Kangaroo (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders in 4th place, outpaced from 3 out, 5th of 10, dist behind Brahms De Clermont (11-4) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Turnbury 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Topamichi (10-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Brereton (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, weakened before 10th, fell 4 out, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Victorian Teo (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Global Fert (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
