Sceau Royal won this in 2016 but this former Triumph trial has lost a little lustre since then. Historic Heart has been campaigned at a decent level, however, and won twice. His latest second to Adagio at Cheltenham has been franked but he is conceding 8lb to his rivals. Wightman is unpenalised for his victory at Taunton but probably needs more. Ambassador has placed at Warwick and Kempton on soft going but was rated 22lb inferior to PUNCTUATION on the Flat. Bred by The Queen, the latter will have no problem with either the trip or the going and, if his jumping is up to scratch, Charlie Longsdon’s well-built gelding could outclass these. Balzac only ran twice on the Flat and won his second start so is also interesting.
Historic Heart (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, went 2nd flat, soon edged right, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 8, 4 3/4l behind Adagio (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Albert Van Ornum (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along and hit 3 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 11, 19l behind Goodbye Stranger (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Ambassador (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Held up, pulled hard, soon mid-division, closed 3rd, 3rd and held 2 out, left 2nd and mistake last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 12, 10 1/2l behind Heross Du Seuil (10-12) at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Balzac 4-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, made all, joined 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 1m 2f stks (5) gs in Jul beating Mersin (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Punctuation 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12f out until driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 14 1/2l behind Prince Alex (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Wightman (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, pressed leader after 2 out, pushed along and disputed lead last, kept on gamely and led narrowly on the line, won at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Dec beating Volkovka (10-11) by hd, 13 ran.
Yorkshire Gold 7-1 (9-5) Got upset in stalls, broke awkwardly, never going and soon behind, tailed off and eased from 3f out, last of 11, dist behind Canagat (9-3) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Breadcrumbs (FR) 125-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch turning for home, plugged on home straight, 4th of 9, 32 3/4l behind Progressive (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn fll (4) hvy in Dec.
