Mr Christopher, Baltic Prince and Alkashaaf were all narrowly beaten last time but the latter has shown his best form over 6f and was five lengths behind Rouge Nuage over course and distance in August. LAGENDA produced a respectable first run for Kristin Stubbs at Chelmsford and has been dropped a pound since. That was only his second start on the all-weather and he may have a bit more scope on the surface than some. Ballymore Castle has been thereabouts lately but over a shorter trip and he has a poor strike rate. Rock Warbler won at Newcastle in September and hasn’t been disgraced since so can’t be ignored.
Inaam (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Northgate Lad (9-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Athassel 11-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tatlisu (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Dec.
Cricklewood Green (USA) 10-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 14th of 18, 8 3/4l behind Shady Mccoy (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Lagenda 33-1 (9-0) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Ice Royal (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Ballymore Castle (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Went left start, held up, ridden over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Sword Exceed (9-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Mr Christopher (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden to lead again 2f out, soon pressed, headed final strides, 2nd of 14, hd behind Malaspina (10-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Rock Warbler (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-7) Slowly away towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Thello (9-0) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Case Key 33-1 (8-11) Raced centre, chased leaders, hung left to near side and weakened over 1f out, 15th of 17, 9 3/4l behind Yellowhammer (9-3) at Newmarket 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Rouge Nuage (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 16 3/4l behind Lucymai (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Alkashaaf (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Danecase (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Baltic Prince (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Led, driven and 2 lengths ahead over 1f out, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Tuscany (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Adam's Ale 40-1 (9-3) Behind and outpaced, 13th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Mujassam (9-5) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
