Speed Venture Lost no caste in defeat behind the well handicapped The Hairy Lemon at Warwick last month and has to be respected on that evidence but the handicapper has given the nine-year-old no respite and preference is for Barton Gate, who gets the vote ahead of Titian Flame. The last mentioned has given little cause for optimism of late but does have ground conditions to suit and makes more appeal than Imperial Royale, who has been well beaten in recent starts including under similar ground to today. Elegant Clutter has along absence to overcome and is hard to recommend, while New Diamond has shown little aptitude for the winter game. The vote then goes to Barton Gate, who has gone up 3lbs for his win in a Uttoxeter seller last time but is clearly fit, in form and seemingly well enough treated to beat some moderate rivals on ground that clearly suits.
Barton Gate 11-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) hvy in Dec beating The Wife's Sister (10-0) by 8l, 12 ran.
Speed Venture 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind The Hairy Lemon (11-8) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
Titian Flame (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up, jumped right 1st, headway when hampered 7th, soon struggling, 10th of 12, 30l behind She's Our Native (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft.
Imperial Royale (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Made most to 3 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 14, well behind Waterloo Son (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Oct '03 beating Day Du Roy (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
New Diamond 100-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders 3rd, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bar Gayne (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hdl 0-90 (5) sft, 13 ran.
