mid-division, ridden from 11th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out to chase leaders, kept on from last
mid-division, ridden from 11th, gradually weakened
mid-division, weakened from 10th and soon beaten
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden 3 out, headway to lead 2 out, kept on run-in
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, effort 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, hit 8th, effort and headway to lead briefly 11th, ridden next and soon weakened
tracked leader, led 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed next, not much room run-in, switched right, no impression close home
soon led, headed 9th, ridden 3 out and weakened from next
led, soon prominent, ridden 11th, soon beaten
held up, ridden approaching 9th, some headway from next, one pace from 3 out
I Got Rhythm has claims on the pick of his form but lack of a recent outing for Keith Reveley's gelding is of some concern so the vote goes to Lorio du Misselot, who is preferred to Opal's Helmsman and Nick The Silver. The selection showed improved form when stepped up to this trip here on his handicap debut last time and has an obvious chance on ground that clearly suits off just a 2lb higher mark today. Richard Guest's Sconced is hard to recommend on recent evidence but the stable's horses are in better form now, while top weight Top The Bill may need another run to put him spot on. Bodfari Signet has yet to show his effectiveness over this far and of more interest may be Opal's Helmsman, who has a nice racing weight but lacks a recent run. Nick The Silver is better than he has shown in his last two starts and may do better now that he encounters a faster surface but Lorio du Misselot has an obvious chance on the evidence of his latest effort and he gets the vote.
Top The Bill (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Always behind, struggling from halfway, 11th of 16, 26l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Bodfari Signet 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, hit 4 out, soon weakened, ridden approaching next, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 7l behind Saif Sareea (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Dec.
Nick The Silver 10-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, well behind Star Member (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Kidithou (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, behind from 3 out, 9th of 10, 45l behind General Duroc (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec.
Political Sox 50-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, 45l behind River Mist (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Tickateal 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, 6th and no impression when stumbled 2 out, 8th of 15, 28l behind Qualitair Pleasure (11-7) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov.
Minivet 50-1 (10-10) Led, headed 9th, driven and outpaced when fell 3 out in race won by River Mist (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec, 17 ran.
I Got Rhythm 11-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Bodfari Signet (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in May.
Now Then Auntie (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 43l behind Bougoure (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Opal's Helmsman (USA) 8-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, kept on one pace after 2 out, 4th of 7, 12l behind Bob's Gone (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Kyber 40-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway 7th, outpaced after 4 out, 5th of 20, 24l behind Piraeus (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs in Nov.
Lorio du Misselot (FR) 10-1 (9-11) Made most until headed last, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Not Today Sir (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Nov.
Sconced (USA) 9-1 (10-8) Lost place 5th, headway 11th to chase leaders, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 11, 12l behind El Andaluz (10-3) at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Dec.
Washington Pink (IRE) 100-1 (9-9) Always behind, 14th of 18, 38l behind North Landing (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec.