In a race that will not take much winning, DESERT HAWK is put forward as the tentative choice; the list of dangers is headed by Prince Charlemagne and Casablanca Minx. Mark Brisbourne's 8-year-old does boast course and distance winning form and he did hint that his turn might not be too far away when he chased home Ben Bacchus at Kempton. He did not get a clear run that day, so if he gets a bit more luck this evening then he might just be good enough to lead them home. Prince Charlemagne is having only his third run for trainer Gary Moore and he did show better form last time when he finished fifth here behind Snow Dancer. There may be more to come and he is certainly one to consider. Casablanca Minx is a course and distance winner and she wasn't disgraced last time out, but it is now 18 runs since she last managed to get her head in front and she can't be backed with any confidence. All You Need has yet to really prove that he sees out this trip, and in a race where it is hard to be too enthusiastic about anything, we will stick with Desert Hawk as the pick.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Awkward and went right start, held up towards rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 12, 7l behind Snow Dancer (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Karmei 50-1 (10-1) Dwelt, soon tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 15th of 16, 21l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
John Potts 80-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ridgeway Jazz (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Casablanca Minx (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 12, 4l behind Joe Jo Star (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Roundthetwist (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Rapid City (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Darley Star 20-1 (8-7) Led at steady pace, ridden 3f out, headed entering final furlong, faded, 6th of 10, 3l behind Chalice Welcome (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Marie Tempest 15-2 (8-13) Led, ridden 2f out, weakening when headed inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4l behind Lady Aspen (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn fll (5) pol in Jan.
Countrywide Comet (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Held up, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 16l behind Singleb (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Always rear, 11th of 13, well behind Mohawk Star (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Maddy 20-1 (8-8) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 6l behind Joe Jo Star (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Desert Hawk 11-1 (8-10) Slowly away, soon held up, hit rail after 2f, headway 2f out, kept on, never able to challenge, 4th of 13, 7l behind Ben Bacchus (8-6) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Jan.
All You Need (IRE) 17-2 (8-8) Slowly into stride, ran wide entering straight and some late headway, 8th of 12, 8l behind Guildenstern (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Meohmy 28-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway 4f out, edged right under pressure over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 15, 9l behind Everyman (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Sept.
