Le Ligerien has rediscovered the winning habit but he’s been raised 10lb since completing a double at Haydock. Cliffs Of Dover hasn’t raced since scoring at Exeter on New Year’s Day 2019 but fitness is unlikely to be an issue, though stablemate Miranda makes more appeal given she ran well in a higher grade at Musselburgh after winning at Kempton. Main Fact is on a roll but upped in class and 12lb higher than when competing his hat-trick at Ffos Las. ELUSIVE BELLE was beaten four lengths by Miranda at Kempton when a well-backed favourite but is now 10lb better off with the Nicholls mare and should turn the tables. Khage and Antunes may be the pick of the remainder.
Le Ligerien (FR) 1-2fav (12-5) Keen made all, quicken pace 3 out, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Flamboyant Joyaux (10-12) by 4l, 7 ran.
Elusive Belle (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 2nd until awkward 3 out, 2nd again on long run before 2 out, in front soon after, mistake 2 out, headed before the last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Miranda (10-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Miranda (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, hard pressed next, soon ridden, headed approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sebastopol (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Khage (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, not always fluent, mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, every chance flat, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Antunes 3-1fav (11-11) Held up in rear, steady headway from 6th, beaten 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra, 7th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Neff (GER) 33-1 (10-3) Held up, struggling in last pair 4 out, never a factor, tailed off, 14th of 24, 13 1/2l behind Pic D'Orhy (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
William H Bonney 7-2 (11-12) Always towards rear, pulled up, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Main Fact (USA) 5-4fav (12-0) Held up, niggled along briefly approaching 4th, headway on inside after 5th, led after 2 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Mick Manhattan (12-0) by 10l, 12 ran.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace in 4th after last, no impression, 4th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Bean In Trouble (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Cliffs Of Dover 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders and travelled well, 2nd before 3 out, led next, clear before last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Ebony Gale (10-13) by 6l, 6 ran.
Champagne City 10-1 (11-7) Chased leader to 2nd, soon lost place, behind when reminders after 4th and approaching 6th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 7th, at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
