A wide-open event to end proceedings may go the way of Dafa ahead of a whole host of dangers including Ballygriffin Kid, Midshipman, Game Guru and Mandinka. The fact that Barney Curley landed the spoils 12 months ago with Cristoforo augurs well for the chance of Dafa. The nine-year-old beat little of note at Southwell in January, but led on the bit when coming to take it up a furlong out, and as that was his first outing since May, we know that he goes well fresh. In receipt of weight from everything else here, he could be well handicapped so should be kept on the right side. There are plenty of others in with a shout including Ballygriffin Kid who ran well in defeat behind Bishops Finger at Lingfieldl. He has his fair share of weight though, and Midshipman might prove a bigger danger after his staying on victory over Fisby at Wolverhampton. Game Guru hit winning form at Southwell but did tend to pull hard, while Mandinka was just denied when favourite for his last start in January. Zalkani was also just run out of things at Lingfield and deserves to get his head in front. None of those mentioned would be winning out of turn, but we shall stick with Dafa, especially if the market speaks in his favour.
Midshipman 9-2 Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (E3) pol in Feb beating Fisby by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mr Midasman (IRE) 3-1fav Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Bravely Does It at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (F4) pol in Nov.
Game Guru 8-1 Pulled hard, held up, improved over 4f out, effort and hung left over 1f out, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (F4) fbs beating Keepers Knight by 2l, 13 ran.
Sneem's Rock 6-1jt-fav Held up mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Glendale at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (F4) pol.
Bojangles (IRE) 9-4fav Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 10, 13l behind Muqarrar at Southwell 1m 4f stk (H5) fbs.
Mandinka 6-5fav Mid-division, headway 4f out, chased winner well over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Kingston Harbour at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (E3) fbs in Jan.
Dafa 3-1jt-fav In touch, headway over 3f out, led on bit over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f stk (H5) fbs in Jan beating Kentucky Bullet by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ballygriffin Kid 7-2fav Keen, tracked leaders, led inside final furlong, headed and not quicken close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bishops Finger at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (F3) pol.
