MUKTASB looks the obvious pick here with Back In The Red and Red Cape rated as the main dangers. Derek Shaw's 8-year-old was good value for his winning margin over this course and distance last time and his 6lbs penalty may not be enough to stop him. He won for an inexperienced pilot that day and he looks the safest option to follow-up, although his high draw is a slight negative. Back In The Red is the obvious danger as he arrives here in great form and he is well drawn in stall 2. However, it was only a weak claimer he won last time and he looks to have more on his plate today. Red Cape ran well when chasing home Strabinios King last time out and he does have one of the more experienced pilot's on board so he has to enter calculations. Compton Classic has the plum draw and is another to consider, but in a tricky race to call we will side with Muktasb as the pick.
Back In The Red (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden to lead again over 1f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Jan beating Grimes Faith (8-9) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Atheer Dubai (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Made all, led, pressed inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, pushed out, won at Lingfield 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov beating Madame Hoi (8-12) by a nk, 9 ran.
Red Cape (FR) 12-1 (8-7) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Strabinios King (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Mayoman (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly away, held up, always behind, 10th of 11, 24l behind Milne Bay (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Angel Voices (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed narrowly well over 1f out, kept pressing winner but always held final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Mutamared (9-5) at Kempton 6f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Muktasb (USA) 15-2 (11-4) In touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Smirfys Systems (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Compton Classic 7-1 (8-6) Went right start and held up in rear, some late headway, never on terms, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Drifting Gold (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Mansii 4-1fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong without troubling leaders, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Joss Stick (8-12) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Briery Blaze 100-1 (8-3) Rider late removing hood, started slowly, outpaced, always last, last of 5, 19l behind Harry Up (9-3) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol in Jan.
