HOT TOTTIE would have to head the short-list if making a quick reappearance after yesterday's planned run at Exeter. If she fails to take her chance than this can go to Me Fein on his handicap bow. Barney Curley's grey won four times on the all-weather and ran his best race so far over timber at Huntingdon last time. The Gripper's second at Hereford last month was a step up on previous efforts and he can figure along with Cash Back who returns from a lay-off but has gone well fresh before.
Holyrood 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader on inside, led 6th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Hot Tottie (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Petroglyph 33-1 (10-10) In rear, ridden after 5th, lost touch approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bellflower Boy (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
The Gripper (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Prominent on outside, led and not fluent 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Monsieur Cadou (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Me Fein 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 16, 23l behind Gibb River (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Cash Back 5-1fav (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 6th, headway approaching 3 out, never nearer, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Occasionally Yours (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Not A Bob (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 30l behind Babilu (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Oct.
Eastwell Smiles 11-4fav (11-10) Made all, clear from 2nd, hit 5th and 3 out, driven before last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jul beating Magical Island (11-7) by 5l, 12 ran.
Everyman 50-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, ridden and lost place after 6th, well beaten when mistake and hampered 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Monsieur Cadou (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
I Can Run Can You (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, not fluent and ridden 5th, lost touch after next, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Winning Show (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep, 12 ran.
Miss Mamma Wagga (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, dropped to mid-divsion on outside when mistake 2nd, went left and lost place next, mistake 2 out, plugged on, 6th of 13, 24l behind Jeu De Roseau (10-6) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Hot Tottie (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Held up in touch, headway when hit 6th, soon driven and outpaced, stayed on to lead 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Exeter 2m 3f cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs beating Holyrood (11-6) by 12l, 7 ran.
Le Roi Max (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Ld until narrowly headed 3rd, chased leader until before 3 out, where mistake and weakened, 8th of 10, 22l behind Marino Prince (11-6) at Kempton 2m cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Hardwick Wood 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, lost place next, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind My Boy Paddy (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Troys Run (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Bellflower Boy (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
