Barncroft was second here last month but is now 0-10 while Ludlow runner-up Newtonian is 0-15. BOBALOT is back over hurdles having failed to take to fences. He is 6lb lower than his winning mark and this is a modest handicap. Abbeyhill has been raised a further 5lb despite defeat last time at Taunton while Elfride is still 4lb higher than for her win here in May but Call Me Arthur is also engaged to run at Warwick today.
Barncroft (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, lost place before not fluent 5th, closed after next, led 3 out, driven and headed 2 out, no impression on winner after, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Libor Lad (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Bobalot 10-1 (11-7) In touch, landed awkward 11th, ridden next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Call Me Arthur (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up in midfield, ridden and headway on outer before 3 out, in behind leaders 2 out, 2 lengths 3rd approaching last, stayed on run-in, stayed into 2nd close home, just failed at winning post, 2nd of 15, nk behind Danton (12-0) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Dragoon Springs (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 5th of 17, 10 1/4l behind Elfride (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in May.
Abbeyhill (IRE) 7-4fav (10-6) Raced keenly tracking winner until before 3rd, chased leaders, went 2nd again 8th, challenged and every chance from 2 out, hard ridden and edged right run-in, found no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Top Cloud (11-4) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Newtonian 33-1 (10-2) Midfield, headway after 4 out, went second before 2 out, kept on well but held by winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Le Boulevardier (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Elfride 8-1 (10-2) Off the pace in last pair, closer in dispute of modest 4th after 4 out, weakened before next, 4th of 10, dist behind Moonlight Artist (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Brasingaman Bella 33-1 (10-10) In touch, lost place before 2nd, reminder after 4th, struggling from next, behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
