Karisma King was a shade disappointing on his chasing debut over course and distance last month but has been dropped a few pounds since and should know more today. Alchimix ran his best race so far over the larger obstacles here last time and is also respected, though was 13 lengths behind course specialist SPREAD BOY over 2m at the track earlier when the latter was racing from out of the handicap. We’ll take a chance on the stamina of Barry Murtagh’s charge today.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, unseated 3rd, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Karisma King 3-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, blundered 7 out, ridden before 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 17 1/2l behind Eastview Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sweet Belle 66-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Thumb Stone Blues (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Soon mid-division, 14th from 4 out, no impression from next, pulled up straight, at Listowel 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
King Of The Dark (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, 6th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Mcginty's Dream (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Alchimix (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Attimo (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Spinning Scooter 50-1 (11-3) Led, headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 10, 31 1/2l behind Lochalsh (10-4) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Spread Boy (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway to chase clear pair when blundered 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on, no impression when lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Working Title (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Coolanure (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Soon tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
