THURSDAY'S KNIGHT looked progressive towards the end of last season and he can make a winning return to action here at the main expense of Bally Conn and Ring Bo Ree. This six-year-old won in emphatic fashion at Plumpton last time when he beat Laughing Game, but he failed to back that up at Ludlow last time when he finished second behind Old Brigade. That race may have come too quickly for him though, so providing he is fit enough to do himself justice on his first run since November, then he should take all the beating, especially as we know he will handle the ground. Bally Conn does have the benefit of a recent run under his belt and he won well when last seen beating Silver Spinner at Taunton. He is another that will handle the ground and he should give our selection a race. Ring Bo Ree is a nice type and he will be suited by this step-up in trip after chasing home Awesome George over 2m 1f at Cheltenham last time. Abutilon is a consistent sort who will handle the ground, so he could prove best of the others. However, for the winner we will stick with Thursday's Knight.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until 8th, soon weakened, 10th of 19, well behind Wychwoods Legend (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Thursday's Knight (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden 2 out, weakening when left 2nd soon after last, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Old Brigade (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Karasakal (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Led, clear 4th, hit 6th, headed 3 out, mistake and weakened next, well beaten when hit last, 8th of 11, 35l behind Edgbriar (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Mollys Garden (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up last, headway approaching 5th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Inchloch 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Edgbriar (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Bally Conn (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, good headway to lead 9th, narrowly headed next, led 2 out, clear last, idled flat, ridden out, won at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Silver Spinner (11-9) by 4l, 14 ran.
Ring Bo Ree (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) In touch, mistake and hampered 2 out, chased leaders before last, went 2nd soon after last, one pace and no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Awesome George (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
More The Merrier (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, reminders 5th, driven 4 out, close up 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 19l behind Radmores Revenge (11-3) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Webbswood Lad (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, 37l behind Tender Falcon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Quelclasse (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 33l behind Toby Belch (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Over The Flow 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway after 6th, chased leaders, hit 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 11th of 15, 36l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Abutilon 25-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 14, 22l behind Six Day War (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Exclusionist 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, plugging on at one pace but no chance when ridden after 2 out, 5th of 15, 44l behind Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Porta Vogie (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 3 out, headed and hung left approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 26l behind Sexy Rexy (11-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Merry Music (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 6th, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Mistress To No One (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Madness (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 5th, hit next, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 49l behind Teddy's Reflection (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pomander (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Led, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened into 5th when blundered badly last, 6th of 14, 12l behind Ruby Crown (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (4) gs in Jan.
