Cyclop is a thorough stayer and appreciated a return to chasing in last month’s Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen. Dawson City also has bags of stamina and, though a little disappointing this term, is only a pound higher than when landing last year’s Devon National at Exeter. Theligny could figure if in the mood but Pobbles Bay is high enough in the weights. Christmas In April got off the mark in chases at Fontwell last month and then won the Sussex National at Plumpton when veteran Rathlin Rose was third. He is an improving stayer but this might come around soon enough and he has a penalty to carry. MOVING IN STYLE (NAP) won over this trip at Sedgefield last year. He’s finished second off this mark at Haydock and Newbury the last twice and could go one better today with Sam Twiston-Davies keeping the partnership intact.
Coningsby 12-1 (11-8) Unseated rider 1st, at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Pobbles Bay (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, effort after 18th, well beaten 4 out, 8th of 17, 22 3/4l behind Potters Corner (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Dawson City 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened after 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 14, dist behind Bigirononhiship (10-11) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Christmas In April (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Led until approaching 2nd chased leader until next, 2nd again at 5th, led after 9th, made rest, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Uallrightharry (10-3) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 13th, went 2nd 3 out until next, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Christmas In April (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Morney Wing (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders to before 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Moving In Style (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Hampered 1st, prominent in chasing group, 3rd before 12th until 16th, chased leaders, 3rd again 4 out, well held when left 2nd at the last, 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Copperhead (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cyclop (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Led, soon pressed, headed after 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Hugo 'n Taz (10-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Theligny (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, lost place after 10th, pushed along before 5 out, behind from next, 8th of 10, dist behind Crievehill (11-12) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
