The market should offer most clues to the outcome of this race and PRE RAPHAELITE is offered as the token selection with Sir Bere and Marleno making the shortlist. The booking of Timmy Murphy by connections catches the eye as did the way in which he stayed on at Cheltenham having ran exceedingly green on that debut. There could be more to come on that evidence. Sir Bere represents a yard that can have them ready first time out. Tony McCoy has a particularly decent strike rate when he is aboard. Marleno has experience in the locker. There is every reason to think that this horse will be front running again. Be My Light ran far better than his odds suggested at Newbury in December and there are no issues in relation to the handling of the going. Sir Ocus was a relatively cheap purchase at 6000 guineas though as a winner over two miles, is one to watch closely in the market. Yemeni Princess is the only filly in the field. Her breeding suggests that she was very much destined for middle distances on the flat but things clearly haven't worked out as was intended. A race of very limited punting appeal and hence why Pre Raphaelite can only be considered to the most minimal of stakes levels.
Blue Theme 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after 3f until 7f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 13th of 14, 43l behind Tetlami (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f 3yo nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Letcombe Brook 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakening when hung left on bend 3f out, 12th of 16, 47l behind The Laodicean (10-12) at Huntingdon 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Marleno (GER) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division but well in touch, pulled hard, headway over 2f out, went close 2nd over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Tetlami (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) sft.
Pre Raphaelite (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, struggling over 3f out, never near leaders, 10th of 15, 13l behind Tetlami (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) sft.
Sir Bere (FR) Della Francesca gelding out of Known Alibi.
Sir Ocus Sir Harry Lewis gelding out of Go Tally-ho.
Skipper Robin (FR) Loup Solitaire gelding out of L'oceane.
Be My Light (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Soon in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Alpine Breeze (10-5) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo flls NH flat (5) hvy in Dec.
Fraam Lea Fraam filly out of Castanet.
Yemeni Princess (IRE) Bahri filly out of Celtic Ballet.
