A tricky end to the card and the tentative nod goes to WIDELY ACCEPTED ahead of Jardin De Vienne and Dalaram. The selection ran well in defeat last time out at Leicester, and whilst he doesn't have the most attractive of strike-rates, a big run should be forthcoming. He has form on soft ground and the stable are in quite good form. Doctor Robert is consistent but may struggle against older horses, Maximix is a course winner but out of form in four starts this year, whilst Dalaram needs to get over a poor run at Wincanton last time. Glinton and Jardin De Vienne, two horses who come here on the back of good placed efforts both go on the shortlist, however we will return to Widely Accepted as the one to be with.
Smoothly Does It 17-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, 6th and well beaten when hit 2 out, 6th of 10, 22l behind Stradbrook (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 4-1 (10-9) In touch, left 2nd 3 out until 2 out, rallied under pressure run in, closed as winner idled towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Stradbrook (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Glinton 14-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and hit 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Stradbrook (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Dalaram (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up, lost touch 5th, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Olympian (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Widely Accepted (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Mujamead (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Maximix 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, no extra from last, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 9-2 (10-6) Held up mid-division, ridden 10th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jackella (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Doctor Robert 8-1 (10-6) Raced wide, in touch, ridden after 3 out, led when hit last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 18, nk behind Kilmeena Magic (10-9) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
