Scartare often flatters to deceive and Sartene's Son is also in danger of becoming expensive to follow, though the Southwell runner-up still relatively unexposed and must have a decent chance in a race like this if handling the forecast testing going. DESQUE DE L’ISLE was eased at Lingfield on his chasing bow once his chance had gone. He has been dropped 5lb in the weights since and warrants another chance. Againn Dul Aghaidh, a winner over 3m at Ffos Las last summer, was third at Warwick on his return from a break and should also figure.
Hickey's Rock (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led, slight mistake 3rd, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 3 out where slight mistake, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before last, at Ballinrobe 2m 2f hcp sft in Aug.
Desque De L'Isle (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Bridle Loanan (11-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Sartene's Son (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 13th, pushed along before 3 out, hung left and ridden when hit 2 out, stayed on same pace, stumbled last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Very First Time (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Againn Dul Aghaidh 14-1 (11-1) Held up and behind, 9th and plenty to do 2 out, stayed on into never dangerous 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 14 1/4l behind Manofthemoment (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Blazing Tom 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 9th, mistake and lost place 10th, not fluent 11th, well behind before 5 out, 9th of 16, dist behind Sign Of War (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Scartare (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, went 3rd 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, 34l behind One Style (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Some Finish (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, behind when slow 11th, pulled up after clambering over 12th, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Way Of The World (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Prominent until pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hume Lough 25-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened and blundered 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Cnoc Sion (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Made most to 4 out, soon lost place and ridden, weakened before next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
