Doing Fine has every chance if taking part but was engaged at Sandown yesterday. West Of The Edge and Court Frontier have something to prove off their current marks and the former is 9lb higher than an earlier success at Warwick. Sandy Thomson landed a double in this contest with Neptune Equester and attempts the same feat with last year’s winner HARRY THE VIKING. The latter beat Carrigdhoun and Itstimeforapint easily enough last season and made a winning return to action at Carlisle last month. Scotswell fell at the first last year but went on to beat Nakadam here in April while Indian Castle slips further down the weights attempting to end a long losing run.
Court Frontier (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, under pressure before 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Dell' Arca (11-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
West Of The Edge (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Prominent, chased winner before 2 out until last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Sun Cloud (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Harry The Viking 25-1 (11-3) Led to 8th, tracked leader, led again 13th, driven and hard pressed last, soon ridden, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Topper Thornton (11-8) by hd, 15 ran.
Indian Castle (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, one pace when switched right flat, kept on towards finish, not reach leaders, 6th of 15, 2 1/4l behind What A Moment (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Gold Opera (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) With leader, led 12th until before 4 out, in front again 4 out, ridden after 2 out, hung left under pressure run-in, headed and no extra near finish, 4th of 6, 3/4l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Carrigdhoun (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, kept on same pace and no impression, 4th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Audacious Plan (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Scotswell 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4th to 9th, lost place after 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Tawseef (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Itstimeforapint (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, in touch after 2nd, hit 15th and soon outpaced, 6th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Courtown Oscar (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Nakadam (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 9th, every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Acdc (11-4) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Doing Fine (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, one pace 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 16, 5 3/4l behind Cogry (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
