Noble Behest has been winning over 2m elsewhere on the all-weather and escapes a penalty after landing an apprentices’ race at Wolverhampton. He can go close if taking to the Fibresand but BODACIOUS NAME makes more appeal. The latter overcame a slow pace and the lack of a clear run to beat Shine Baby Shine over 2m here last time and with this greater test of stamina likely to suit John Quinn’s charge, he can go in again. Colwood is now 10lb higher than when winning last year’s renewal while Contingency Fee has plenty to prove over this far.
Gang Warfare 16-1 (11-0) Hampered start, reluctant to race and left well behind, continued reluctant until pulled up 2nd, at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Colwood 5-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Champagne Champ (8-12) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Noble Behest 9-4fav (9-11) Led, headed over 5f out, stayed 2nd, led again inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Battle Of Marathon (10-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Contingency Fee 12-1 (9-5) Led, pushed along and headed approaching final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Renardeau (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Bodacious Name (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Held up behind, took closer order final circuit, driven when not clear run over 2f out, switched right, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Shine Baby Shine (9-2) by nk, 8 ran.
Tigray (USA) 10-3 (9-2) Tracked leading pair, pushed along to chase leader over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Argus (9-11) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Shine Baby Shine 12-1 (9-10) Keen in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Bravantina (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
