DANSE IDOL is another Nicholls novice eased in grade after showing up well in smart company last time. The course and distance winner was a shade keen at Haydock but was only reeled in close home by Queenohearts and will take some catching here if she settles better. Loveherandleaveher finally completed at Hereford earlier this month but was no match for Liberty Bella. She is up against another useful mare here and may come up short again. Maebh won at Warwick in November but had a hard race at Sandown the following month, though is still preferred to fellow winner L'chamise and Briery Bunny. The market should tell us what we need to know about winning pointers The Crafty Touch and Deputy Jones.
Danse Idol (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Raced keenly, led, joined 2 out, headed last, no impression final 75 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Queenohearts (11-0) at Haydock 2m 3f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Kentford Mallard 40-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, ridden after 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, dist behind Our Dot's Baby (11-6) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) gd in Jan.
L'chamise 11-1 (10-12) In touch, hampered and lost place 3rd, blundered 3 out, rallied next, every chance after last, stayed on under pressure to lead closing stages, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct beating Lily Of Leysbourne (10-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Maebh (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, headway on inside after next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Papagana (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Big Fiddle 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, late headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Shantewe (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Briery Bunny 25-1 (10-10) Raced wide, prominent, ridden and dropped to rear soon after 3 out, weakened next, last of 7, dist behind A Little Chaos (10-10) at Fakenham 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Deputy Jones (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Alw pr, 3rd 1/2way, 5th 3out, prog 2out & disp last, sow to ld run-in, won at Loughanmore 3m mdn gd in Apr beating Isle Of Destiny (11-11) by 3l, 10 ran.
Loveherandleaveher (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner before last, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Liberty Bella (11-6) at Hereford 2m 6f (4) gs in Jan.
Perle's An Icon 33-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, mid-division, weakened and behind 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Smart Getaway (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led until over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Ishkhara Lady (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f (5) sft in Dec.
Stoney Cross 150-1 (10-5) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, behind when slow 4 out, tailed off when fell 2 out, at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
The Crafty Touch (IRE) 4-6 (12-2) Ld/disp on inner, b mstk 7th, ld bef 3out,asserted bef 2out, 6l adv & in command when b mstk last, sow, won at Turtulla 3m gd in Nov beating Cubanera (11-11) by 4l, 2 ran.
