Crownthorpe won at Wolverhampton last time while Like A Lion scored over 7f here and Novak has been thereabouts over the same distance. Abruzzo Mia is upped from 6f for her handicap debut while Dingle has a shout on his first start for a new trainer. But David O’Meara’s yard has been among the winners this week so STAR SHIELD gets the vote in a wide-open contest. Cloch Nua, Broctune Red and Abnaa are not out of this either.
Dingle (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Dwelt, raced wide in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Menai Bridge (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Star Shield 7-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, not much room and switched right over 1f out, kept on final 75 yards, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Printemps (9-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Abruzzo Mia 10-11fav (9-9) Handy near side, pushed along and could not go pace of leader 2f out, plugged on final furlong in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Pay For Adaay (9-2) at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Crownthorpe 11-2 (9-6) Held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, always doing enough, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Kaif (9-5) by dht, 11 ran.
Saigon 18-1 (9-13) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 11 3/4l behind The Thunderer (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Broctune Red 12-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden and headway stand side 2f out, pressed winner entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Compliant (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Abnaa 12-1 (9-11) Mid-division on outside, ridden 2f out, could not go pace of leaders final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 7th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Baby Steps (10-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Showmedemoney (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon pushed along, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, made no impression, 7th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Youarenotforgiven (9-10) at Doncaster 1m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Novak 17-2 (9-13) Chased leader, ridden to dispute lead final furlong, clearly headed final 100 yards, no extra close home and lost 2nd, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Mr Trevor (9-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Like A Lion (IRE) 28-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Mumcat (9-4) by nk, 14 ran.
Cloch Nua 3-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong, ran on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Dream Harder (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Heretic (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Dwelt, towards rear of midfield, outpaced 4f out, headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Far Horizon (9-5) at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
