HINT OF HONEY is the only one to arrive here in any sort of form and therefore gets the token vote from Ardent Prince and Djalalabad. Our selection sprang a 40/1 surprise when landing a similarly poor affair last time. That effort came on Southwell's altogether different Fibresand surface and so under a penalty the filly would usually appeal as one to take on, but such is the lack of strength in opposition it makes sense to side with the mildly progressive and unexposed last-time-out victor. Should it prove that she needs to run at Southwell to be seen at her best then perhaps Ardent Prince might prove most likely to capitalise. The seven-year-old won a similar race off a higher mark around this time last year and ran well enough behind a comfortable winner last time. Today's trip should be ideal and in a race packed full of disappointing sorts this gelding holds some each-way appeal, as does Djalalabad who enters calculations on her third placed effort at Lingfield in November. Ejeed is well handicapped on his maiden form and with a continually slipping mark to work with connections may find a race for him, but the fact he's yet to place in eleven starts tells its own tale so of more interest is Rainiers Girl who has had just the four starts and showed some promise in taking fifth last time. Always The Sun looks flattered by her run in a conditions race in November yet has been punished for it, Musashi was poor over hurdles last time and the others have shown little to recommend. Of them King's Miracle could be capable of better but in a dreadful race the selection has to be Hint Of Honey.
Hint of Honey 40-1 (8-5) Held up, headway under pressure over 3f out, led inside final furlong, cosily, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec beating Trans Sonic (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Stark Contrast (USA) 16-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 14l behind Make Amends (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Musashi (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Slowly away, soon in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened entering final 2f, 8th of 15, 10l behind Doubnov (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Nov.
Ejeed (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Raced wide, held up, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 8l behind Erinjay (8-10) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Always The Sun 11-2 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on never nearer, 6th of 12, 12l behind Join Up (8-13) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Michael Laskey 14-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 11l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Djalalabad (FR) 9-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, headway final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 12, 8l behind Tallest Peak (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec.
Turn To Dreams 25-1 (8-1) Led, hard ridden over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, soon headed and weakened, 10th of 11, 10l behind Shake On It (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
King's Miracle (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up, never a factor, 11th of 14, 15l behind Erinjay (8-10) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Sweet Virginia (USA) 40-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, every chance when hung right on bend over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 5, 11l behind Foreign Investment (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Ardent Prince 12-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Orangeleg (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Dec.
Rainiers Girl 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and switched right 2f out, kept on, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Batchworth Blaise (8-6) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Kamanja (UAE) 33-1 (7-13) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 4th of 5, 11l behind Rocky's Pride (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Prince Valentine 7-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 12, 6l behind Bold Rose (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Dec.
