There is another small field for the third race on the card in which CORLANDE is taken to confirm recent course and distance form with Categorical, with Saunders Road rated the best of the rest. Don McCain's string has found their form in the last couple of weeks and that was shown by the selection's improved effort when landing that race here last month. A 10lb rise in the weights for that success is perfectly fair and the five-year-old can again get the better of Keith Reveley's Categorical. Sue Smith's Daldini has been well held in all four starts this term and of more interest may be Ferdy Murphy's Orki Des Aigles, who is well treated and should come on for his recent reappearance. The Philip Hobbs-trained Saunders Road has run creditably in two recent starts and would have every chance if able to build on those efforts but he could probably do with some help from the handicapper and preference is for Corlande.
Saunders Road (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, ridden after 15th, chased winner 3 out, no impression, weakened last, lost 2nd finish, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Go For One (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Corlande (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) With leaders, led after 7th, headed 3 out, led next, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Money Point (11-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
Daldini 12-1 (10-11) Led to 2nd, remained close up until weakened from 5 out, 8th of 13, well behind Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Categorical 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Corlande (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 7th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 33l behind Borero (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
