THE CROONER appeared to find the 2m6f trip too far at Kelso last time having won in the heavy going over today’s distance at Leicester before that. He’s only 3lb higher today and looks worth another chance. Ring The Moon will also relish the going having gone close the last twice now including last week’s defeat at Exeter and is another to consider but Escrime D’Art’s earlier placed effort here came over a longer trip. The remainder are all struggling for form and hard to recommend.
The Crooner (FR) 7-2cfav (11-2) Led until after 2nd, 2nd until 4th, not fluent 5th or 6th, mistake 4 out, weakened from next, mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Escrime D'Art (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, 3rd and one pace towards finish, 3rd of 14, 25l behind King Roland (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Seasearch 40-1 (11-10) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 11th of 16, 26 1/4l behind Lightly Squeeze (12-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dollnamix (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, no impression before last, 6th of 13, 24l behind No Getaway (11-12) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ring The Moon 4-1 (11-5) Hit 1st, towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, 3 lengths down 2 out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Lily The Pink (11-10) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Richie Valentine 100-1 (11-0) Raced keenly and behind, tailed off 7th, pulled up after, at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
