Titan appeared to show improved form last time at Wetherby but will need to settle better if he’s to win races. ESPRIT DE SOMOZA was also a big price last time but defied his odds by pouncing late off a fast pace to win going away. There were some highly-rated juveniles in that contest at Huntingdon and a repeat showing here would suffice, though Nigh Or Never will be hard to keep out of the frame again after seconds here and at Hereford.
Esprit De Somoza (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Raced in 3rd or 4th, slow 4th and when outpaced 3 out, closed 2 out, led last, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Huntingdon 2m (2) sft in Jan beating Gumball (11-6) by 5l, 5 ran.
Blackjacktennessee 50-1 (10-12) Held up, pulling hard early and stumbled soon after start, headway before 5th, ran out next, at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Helf (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, led 2f out, soon ridden, hung right and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Katabatika (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Never A Word (USA) 9-1 (9-2) In touch, led after 2f, headed over 7f out, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Daily Trader (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Nigh Or Never (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, stayed on, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Royale Zanzibar (11-2) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Outcrop (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway in 5th before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 11, dist behind Cornerstone Lad (11-4) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Titan 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 3rd, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Solo Saxophone (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Kestrel Valley 20-1 (10-4) Led, clear for 3f, edged left on stable bend over 11f out and again soon after, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Sea Story (11-2) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Mirzam (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Shambra (10-10) at Ludlow 2m fll (4) sft in Jan.