Bubbly Bellini is a consistent performer in this grade and has been running well of late having not been out of the first two in his last five starts but George Baker's gelding is seemingly better on the slower surfaces at Wolverhampton and Southwell and a better bet looks to be MISS LESLEY, who gets the vote with City Gossip rated the best of the rest. The selection faded late on in a five furlong handicap at Kempton last time but had previously been good value for her win over course and distance in a claimer and Dean Ivory's filly has solid claims of resuming winning ways. Zelos Dream has been running creditably in sellers and claimers of late, including over course and distance, and she has to be respected but this looks a better contest than some of those that she has been running in. Bill Turner's Anjomarba won well enough in a claimer at Southwell last time but she has a bit to find with the selection on running here previously so may have to settle for minor honours at best. Mick Quinlan's City Gossip is less exposed than her rivals after just six starts and may do better now switched to the Polytrack having been mainly campaigned on the Fibresand at Southwell. Miss Lesley has an obvious chance though on recent form and she looks the one they all have to beat.
Bubbly Bellini (IRE) 5-6fav (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, jinked right inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Lord Victor (8-10) at Southwell 7f 2yo clm stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Anjomarba (IRE) 6-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, lead towards finish, won at Southwell 6f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs beating Tamarind Hill (8-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Miss Lesley 13-2 (9-7) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Wanchai Whisper (8-7) at Kempton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Wigan Lane 14-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 12l behind Lisahane Bog (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Zelos Dream (IRE) 15-2 (8-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, until approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 5l behind Bubbly Bellini (8-2) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
City Gossip (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 8l behind Marjolly (8-4) at Kempton 6f 3yo clm stks (5) pol.
Seeking Rio 100-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 23l behind Capricornus (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
