Badger Berry has won over track and trip in the past though his latest success here came over a mile. First Excel has finished closer at the track of late though was behind JAZZ LEGEND earlier and the latter has since placed over track and trip once again when ahead of Lincoln Red, Magnificia and Le Manege Enchante. He looks set for a return to winning ways and gets the nod. Alqaab returned a disappointing favourite at Wolverhampton and debuts here along with the unexposed Quiteacatch.
Badger Berry 5-4fav (9-8) Slowly away, in rear, progress over 4f out, ridden to chase leading trio over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 7l behind Palazzo (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Popple 50-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway between horses over 1f out, never going pace to get involved, 7th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Spring Romance (9-9) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Magnificia (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Spring Romance (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Le Manege Enchante (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Spring Romance (11-4) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Quiteacatch 20-1 (9-4) Raced near side, chased leader in group and prominent overall, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, weakened soon after, 8th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Cmon Cmon (9-5) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
First Excel 7-1 (9-3) Led after 1f, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind The Golden Cue (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Lincoln Red 25-1 (9-0) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Spring Romance (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Jazz Legend (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Spring Romance (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Trulove 200-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression from 2f out, 8th of 10, 6 1/4l behind A Go Go (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Alqaab 4-1cfav (8-2) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, 2 1/4l behind De Little Engine (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
The Red Witch 28-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace and lost 2nd approaching final furlong, 3rd of 13, 6l behind The Retriever (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Poppy Jag (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 9th of 11, 10l behind Secret Treaties (9-4) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
