No Quarter Asked will be carrying overweight and Lively Citizen has been well beaten since returning from his summer break. Clonakilty has had wind surgery since making his chasing bow but it’s hard to envisage him giving 8lb to the progressive Taunton winner ABINGWORTH, who is also preferred to Missed Tee and Couldbeaweapon, who looked to be in trouble when unseating three out at Southwell.
Clonakilty (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) In rear, in touch, closed up before 8th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 33l behind Mr Grey Sky (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Couldbeaweapon (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked winner, 4 lengths down when plunged and unseated rider 3 out, at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Missed Tee (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along and led 3 out, soon ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra and faded run-in, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Cerendipity (11-8) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Lively Citizen (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) In rear, headway and close up 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 4th of 5, 27 1/2l behind Dr T J Eckleburg (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Abingworth 13-2 (12-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway 9th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, ridden between last two, 2 lengths ahead last, kept on well run-in, won at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Famoso (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
No Quarter Asked (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Chased leader, pushed along before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on but always held by winner, 2nd of 3, 4 1/4l behind Artemis Kimbo (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
