A wide open bumper closes the card and the narrow vote is given to TZORA who is preferred to Ashleys Lad, Polly Potter and Aegean Dawn. The selection hails from the Phillip Hobbs yard and this half-brother to the formerly very useful Flat stayer Whispering Death made a pleasing impression on his debut when he chased home Mail De Bievre at Exeter. There should be more to come and we know that he will handle the ground, so he does stand out as the one to beat. Ashleys Lad is an interesting newcomer from the Nick Gifford yard, and they have been in flying form of late so he could go well. Aegean Dawn is another newcomer who catches the eye, and a market check is advised Polly Potter's dam is a half-sister to Denman and this mare shaped with promise on her debut in a decent bumper at Cheltenham. She will need to step-up on that to win this but Alan King has got to be respected in these type of events and she has to be considered. The market may be a guide here but we will side with Tzora as the pick.
Ashleys Lad (IRE) Ashley Park gelding, full brother to bumper winner Ashleys Poppy.
Chesil Beach Boy 9-1 (10-11) Pulled hard in rear, headway to chase leader after 6f, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Foolish Cliche (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (5) gf in May.
Makhzoon (USA) 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, one pace final 2f, went 3rd post, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Double Dash (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Neltara Kayf Tara gelding, full brother to winning hurdler Felinious.
Quipe Me Posted (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, plugged on, 4th of 14, 18l behind Strokestown (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Torta Nel Cielo 9-1 (11-0) Whipped round start, in rear, ridden 6f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, well behind Neil Harvey (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Namoi Bob Back mare out of Instabene.
Over Valued 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 15l behind Pepe Simo (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Polly Potter 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 5f out, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 20, 6l behind Lindeman (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mrs nhf (4) gd in Apr.
The Bishops Baby (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, closer in moderate 7th over 4f out, 6th and no impression into straight, 5th and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 7th of 20, 35l behind Derinlaur (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f nhf gs in Aug.
Timon's Present 25-1 (10-3) Tracked leader until 4f out, ridden to regain second 2f out, veered right just inside final furlong, held after, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind For One Night Only (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Tokahy (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway when not clear run 4f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 3l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Aegean Dawn Alflora gelding out of Wychnor Dawn.
Saxon Blue 100-1 (10-5) Always rear division, ridden and struggling halfway, 14th of 18, 27l behind Zazamix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan.
The Names Harry Sir Harry Lewis gelding out of Fly Home.
Tzora 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway from 4f out, joined winner over 2f out, ridden and every chance throughout final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Mail de Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Desert Pearl Silver Patriarch filly out of Cresswell Native.
Jenny's Gold Dolpour filly out of Zaffre Bleu.
