Desert Secrets gets a narrow vote here, with Linnet, Ostrogoth and Ortega possibly the main dangers. One of the better of these on the Flat, Linnet's Doncaster debut effort was promising but Desert Secrets put in an improved effort to finish second to the admittedly-easy winner Restless d'Artaix over course and distance last time, and that effort affords him respect. Prime Contender's Warwick win brings him into it given that the runner-up has franked the form, but Detroit City, a Listed winner on the Flat in the summer, has a bit to find on that form. In turn, Ostrogoth has nine-and-a-half lengths to find, but is six pounds better off. Legally Fast showed promise on his hurdling debut last time and holds claims, as does Mahogany Blaze, who has been knocking at the door in bumpers and over hurdles. Christian von der Recke's runner, Next Lord, has to be considered too, while No Greater Love showed plenty of promise on the Flat in France and has to hold possibilities. Oakley Absolute was rated 55 when he won on the Flat but Richard Hannon's runner could be very interesting. Ortega won in France and hails from very good yard, while Sir Monty holds claims on his Flat profile but will need to build on his debut effort. Overall, though, in a race where the market might prove the best guide, we will side with Desert Secrets.
Prime Contender 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft beating Take A Mile (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Auburn Grey Environment Friend gelding out of 1m4f winner Odyn Dancer.
Beauchamp Trump 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 9, 41l behind Piper General (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs (Flat).
Benedict Bay 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 16, 14l behind Whoopsie (8-8) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (6) sft in Jul (Flat).
Detroit City (USA) 3-1fav (11-0) In touch and mistake 1st, ridden approaching 5th, weakened next, 8th of 16, 43l behind Prime Contender (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft.
Ihuru 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear division, 8th of 16, well behind Restless D'artaix (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Illuminati 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 7, 15l behind Anaamil (8-9) at Haydock 1m 3f 3yo mdn (5) gs in May (Flat).
Jack Rolfe 16-1 (9-0) Held up, effort over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 12l behind Princelet (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Jeffslottery 10-1 (8-5) Started very slowly, in rear to over 4f out, never a factor, 4th of 5, 22l behind Battledress (8-10) at Bath 1m 4f mdn stk (5) frm in Jun (Flat).
Legally Fast (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Keen hold, held up, headway approaching 3 out, led before last, headed and not quicken flat, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 4 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Lankawi (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Maya's Prince Easycall gelding, half-brother to winning miler Delcienne.
Next Lord (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Not fluent, mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out, 7th of 14, 34l behind Caribou (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft.
No Greater Love (FR) (8-10) Improved to lead 2f out, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Superior Officer (9-0) at Clairefontaine 1m 6f stk in Aug (Flat).
Oakley Absolute 9-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 4l behind Willhego (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
Ortega (FR) Useful gelding, half-brother to French middle-distance Flat winner Dan Bere.
Ostrogoth (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led briefly 3rd, stayed prominent and ridden and every chance 2 out, faded approaching last, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Prime Contender (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft.
Sir Monty (USA) 2-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 28l behind Flaming Weapon (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Oct.
Slew Charm (FR) 18-1 (9-1) Soon behind, 11th of 12, 31l behind Easy Laughter (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Desert Secrets (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Led, headed last, no chance with winner flat but kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Restless D'artaix (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Joli Classical (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened soon after next, 7th of 11, 23l behind Tora Bora (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (E) sft.
Linnet (GER) 5-1 (10-5) Hit 1st, mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 19l behind Gidam Gidam (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf.
Troublesome Gerri 100-1 (10-5) Always in rear, blundered 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Restless D'artaix (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs, 16 ran.
