Late Romantic ended last season winning a Kelso handicap by 26 lengths and though pulling up at Carlisle earlier this month is much better than that. Secret Reprieve is flattered by his form figures as he was beaten by a lone rival at Haydock after finishing second of three at Ffos Las and hasn't run since December. Ice Cool Champs opened last season with an easy victory at Wetherby so obviously goes well fresh but ECLAIR DE GUYE (NAP) looks the one to beat. A winner at Southwell in March, Lucy Wadham's grey reappeared with a neck defeat by Mine's A Pint at Fontwell and should go one better despite a 3lb rise.
Late Romantic (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, hit 13th and lost ground, ridden before 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Secret Reprieve (IRE) Evens (10-13) Chased sole rival, jumped right, no impression 4 out, mistake last, last of 2, 9l behind Cloudy Glen (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Ice Cool Champs (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, in touch 8th, hit 5 out, lost place after next, behind 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Cobolobo (FR) 9-1 (11-6) In rear, blundered 1st and 13th, headway 7 out, weakened after 5 out, pulled up before next, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Some Can Dance (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Prominent tracked leaders 4th, ridden 4 out, soon lost place and pulled up 3 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Mcnamaras Band (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Held up, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 4 out, tailed off 3 out, 13th of 18, 33 1/4l behind Demachine (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Eclair De Guye (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Close up, jumped left 3 out, led 2 out, jumped last well, outpaced and headed final 110 yards, 2nd of 10, nk behind Mine's A Pint (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Snuff Box (IRE) 9-1 (12-2) Soon held up in touch, lost place 10th, hit 11th, lost touch before 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Springfield Fox (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hideaway Vic (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Reluctant to race and slowly away, in rear, not fluent 1st, went left and not fluent next, closed 11th, outpaced 4 out, well beaten from next, 5th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Wayfinder (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
