Charlie Longsdon's Alesandro Mantegna lost no caste in defeat behind the useful Zazamix in a Newbury bumper last month and he looks the pick of the quartet to have raced previously but it may be worth taking a chance with one of the newcomers and the vote goes to HUDIBRAS, who gets the verdict ahead of Mikeys Sister. Tony Carroll has his string in good form at present and the daughter of Dancing Maestro has to be respected given their current wellbeing. Tough Cookie is well enough bred to be considered and probably makes more appeal than the trio to have raced previously Moonlight Rose, Holy Balloney and Torta Nel Cielo, who were all well beaten on their racecourse debuts. The verdict though is given to Charlie Mann's Hudibras, who is bred to be useful being a son of Bluebird out of an In The Wings mare and, from a stable in top form, he looks worth chancing.
Holy Balloney 10-1 (12-0) pulled up at Inch 3m ir pt-to-pt heavy in March in race won by Hampshire Express, 17 ran.
Hudibras (IRE) Bluebird gelding out of Mannequin.
Torta Nel Cielo 9-1 (11-0) Whipped round start, in rear, ridden 6f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, well behind Neil Harvey (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Tough Cookie (IRE) Rashar gelding, brother to two winning Irish pointers.
Moonlight Rose 66-1 (10-10) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 47l behind Kentucky Sky (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Alesandro Mantegna (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 18, 12l behind Zazamix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Mikeys Sister Dancing Maestro filly out of Debbie's Darling.
