Akarshan has been in good form but this race looks tougher and preference is for JUST ROB ahead of Walkon. Trained by Ian Williams, the selection was impressive recently when scoring at Sandown. He has shown a liking for soft ground and a decent horse on the flat, this progressive three-year-old is fancied to win again. Walk On was a ready winner on debut at Huntingdon on his UK debut and is open to plenty of improvement, Arkashan is holding his form well and acts on soft ground, whilst Love And Glory ran in a better race at Cheltenham last time and the form ahs since been franked. At a price the French challenger Pour Changer must be respected, however it is Just Rob who gets the nomination.
Akarshan (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and challenged leader 2 out, kept on well to lead close home, won at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Solar Max (10-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Just Rob 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, travelling well 3 out, joined leader 2 out, led approaching last, pushed clear, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Sufad (11-0) by 4l, 5 ran.
Walkon (FR) 13-8jt-fav (11-0) Raced keenly tracking leader, every chance 2 out, led after last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Nov beating Danesman (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Love And Glory (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 2nd, pecked next, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 15, 26l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Pour Changer (FR) (10-6) 5th of 20, 5l behind Good Jack (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 2f 3yo hdl in Nov.
Ramona Chase 10-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, no chance after, 7th of 13, 8l behind La Sarrazine (8-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct (Flat).
Ray Diamond 20-1 (10-7) Made virtually all, ridden approaching 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last, hung right run-in, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Sainglend (10-2) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Monkhair (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Led, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 13l behind Purely By Chance (10-8) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, stumbled 7th, headway after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 15, 16l behind Parlesotho (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
