MANWELL (NAP) is the only one of these who doesn’t currently have questions to answer. After a string of seconds, he’s discovered the winning habit lately and had plenty in hand when completing a double over course and distance 12 days ago. Caraline was third in this last year but is a pound higher and has been out of sorts so far this campaign. Foxtail Hill is dropped in class and also the weights but seems best caught fresh. Somewhere To Be was clear when falling at the last at Leicester last month but a 5lb rise has hardly helped his cause.
Foxtail Hill (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Jumped left, led until 1st, led next, headed 8th, not fluent 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 25l behind Aso (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Jan.
Somewhere To Be (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Led, clear 2 out, 5 lengths ahead when fell last, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Manwell (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Held up in touch in rear, smooth headway on outside 4 out, joined leader on bit before next, led 2 out, shaken up and quickened clear flat, ran on, readily, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Lord County (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Caraline (FR) 20-1 (10-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, lost place 5 out, behind when hit 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 15 1/4l behind Beau Bay (10-9) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
