Mr Muddle won last year's renewal and has been placed subsequently and is now 12lb higher. SPORTSREPORT makes more appeal as he won by five lengths over course and distance a fortnight ago and should go close again in his current frame of mind. Starkie has every chance on his second at Newbury two runs ago but was pulled up at Newton Abbot on Saturday when the subject of a gamble. Officer Drivel has had just the two starts over fences and fared better on his chasing debut at Ludlow than he did at Fakenham last time while Gores Island, though not badly weighted, remains hard to win with.
Officer Drivel (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, ridden before last, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Instant Karma (10-11) at Fakenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Gores Island (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up behind, headway on outside 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, never on terms, weakened flat, 7th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Starkie 9-4fav (10-4) Jumped right, led until 3 out, lost 2nd next, poor 3rd when pulled up before last, at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Mr Muddle 16-1 (11-2) Midfield when blundered and unseated rider 11th, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Sportsreport (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Close up in 4th, slightly hampered 7th, headway to track leader 4 out, led 2 out, clear last, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Agincourt Reef (11-12) by 5l, 4 ran.
