Be Daring missed out by only a neck when second at Fontwell while Astrum is another to consider on last month’s second at Fakenham. Argyle can be given a chance on his earlier placed effort at Lingfield and a conditional takes 10lb off his back today but KEEL HAUL gets another chance. He got no further than the first at Market Rasen last time but finished a close-up fourth in a Class 3 chase at Lingfield before that and can race off a much lower mark back over the smaller obstacles today.
Argyle (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 5th, driven and outpaced before 2 out, plugged on to dispute modest 3rd from last, 4th of 6, 30 3/4l behind Our Merlin (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Astrum 11-4 (11-9) Close up, slow 3rd, chased winner 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Mamoo (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Scrutinise 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Wot A Shot (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Keel Haul (IRE) 14-5fav (11-4) Fell 1st, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Kastani Beach (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up last, pushed long and struggling before 6th, kept on run-in, never nearer, 5th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Le Capricieux (12-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Be Daring (FR) 7-2fav (11-3) In rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner before last, every chance when bumped winner run-in, just held close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Blue April (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Drive On Locky (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Led until 5th, lost 2nd 7th, chased leaders, weakened tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Sixties Idol 11-2 (10-11) Towards rear, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, never going pace to get on terms, 5th of 10, 22 1/2l behind Willshebetrying (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Austin Friars 20-1 (8-11) Dwelt, soon pushed along, close up, lost place over 4f out, soon in rear, last of 8, 24l behind Holiday Magic (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Walk Of Gleams 33-1 (10-0) Never better than mid-division, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Oskar Denarius (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
