SERENGETI SUNSET is marginally preferred to Colonial Jim in a race where a good number are of interest. The selection was unfancied in the betting but gave a gambled on winner a fright at Wincanton in a similar contest; that was his first sign of form and he may be able to build on that performance. Colonial Jim has been given a break since landing a quickfire double but he will find life tougher as he's 15lbs higher. That said he's only had six races in his career so there may well be more to come from the gelding and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of his chances. The market should also be revealing with regard to a host of unexposed horses in the field, a number of whom are making their handicap debuts. Red Rattle, Last Flight, Graham's Girl and Sleepers Hill are four to keep an eye on whilst Carrickmines is worth a second look on debut for a yard that has a good record with cast-offs. Mey Clouds bids to take advantage of a hurdling mark that's lower than his chase rating and is yet another to be wary of but Serengeti Sunset ran well last time and is partnered by one of the more experienced and talented riders in the line-up and will do for us.
King De Lune (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Led to 2nd, with leader, weakened 7th, tailed off 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by I'm A Legend (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Red Rattle (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, never near leaders, mistake last, 9th of 18, 24l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Last Flight (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on to chase winner last, 2nd of 13, 15l behind Ogee (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Euro Import 11-2 (10-4) Prominent, led approaching 6th to 7th, weakened next, 9th of 11, 20l behind Critical Stage (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Cruise Director 3-1 (11-2) Held up, closed 6th, soon tracked leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon no chance, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Coppermalt (10-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov '06.
Mey Clouds (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Towards rear, some progress 15th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 30l behind De Soto (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Handy Ben (IRE) (10-8) won at Hannover 2m 1f hdl gd in Nov beating Supervisor (10-6) by 7l, 7 ran.
Carrickmines (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, disputing 2nd when mistake last, no extra flat, 6th of 17, 15l behind Marufo (11-12) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Graham's Girl 16-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 13l behind Wise Men Say (10-7) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 22l behind Friendly King (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.
Langkawi Beach (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden 5th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 12, 32l behind Priest Field (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Colonial Jim (IRE) 5-6fav (9-11) Held up, steady headway 3 out, going well when not fluent last, led close home, easy, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Cannon Fire (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Serengeti Sunset (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, headway and chased leaders 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Hearty Dove (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Flag Flier 100-1 (10-0) In touch until 3rd, soon behind, 9th of 16, well behind Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Sleepers Hill (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 36l behind Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Heezagrey (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 15, 19l behind Old Brigade (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
