ORIENTAL LILLY has come of age since switched to Tapeta. She’s won her last three and is hard to ignore in her current mood, despite another 3lb rise. Dynamo Walt is a lot more exposed on the all-weather but has won 11 times, though most of those victories have come at Chelmsford. Doc Sportello was only beaten half-a-length over track and trip before making the frame again at Kempton last week so is a danger but he is only one of seven course and distance winners in this. Rosina, Royal Brave and Marseille are others and Rich Again missed the break over 6f here last time. Afandem won a Group 3 and Listed race as a juvenile but disappointed last year and has changed stables.
Afandem (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Raced stands side, chased leaders, soon outpaced, weakened halfway, eased final furlong, last of 10, 23 3/4l behind Pettochside (8-13) at Ascot 5f hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Doc Sportello (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Steadied start, held up in touch on inside, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Karijini (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Rosina 3-1fav (9-9) Outpaced, ridden halfway, never nearer, 5th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Pearl Acclaim (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Dynamo Walt (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Brother Tiger (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Royal Brave (IRE) 7-2fav (9-8) Dwelt in touch, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Van Gerwen (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Rantan (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Zapper Cass (9-10) at Nottingham 6f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Marseille (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Chased leaders centre, faded final furlong, last of 7, 10 1/4l behind Thafeera (9-7) at Nottingham 6f hcp fll (4) gs in Aug.
Rich Again (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Heaven's Guest (9-7) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Oriental Lilly 7-2 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Athollblair Boy (8-13) by hd, 11 ran.
