Spitting Image gets the call over Our Choice, Ellina, Bucks and Monte Cristo in a competitive-looking contest. Spitting Image proved a revelation on his first start for Mark Johnston over the course and distance three weeks ago, breaking the course record under Greg Fairley. All of his three previous career victories had come at Redcar, but he was not unexpected last time, having been backed down from 10-1 to 6-1. The change of scenery has obviously had the desired effect, and even off a nine-pound higher mark, a similar effort should be enough to see him involved in the finish. Ellina likes this track judged on her last three winning efforts but she is creeping up the weights now, while Bucks has been consistent in defeat and has the assistance of Eddie Ahern. Monte Cristo has a had a good little spell on the all-weather but is another that will start to feel the handicapper's wrath as a result, so he will probably be sent back over obstacles soon. It would be no surprise though if he were to take a hand here along with the progressive three-year-old Our Choice. Harrycat should be noted in the market, but if that last run by Spitting Image was not just a flash in the pan then he is the one to beat.
Higher State 16-1 (9-3) Always behind, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Toldo (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Bucks 7-2jt-fav (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, not clear run on inner over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Maystock (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f app hcp (5) pol.
Ellina 3-1fav (8-12) Mid-divison, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 12, 8l behind Monte Cristo (8-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Monte Cristo (FR) 9-2 (9-9) In touch, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Peak Park (9-8) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Harrycat (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked winner for 3f, weakened 3f out, 7th of 10, 14l behind Jake Black (11-1) at York 1m 4f amt hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Spitting Image (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Reggae Rhythm (9-2) by 5l, 13 ran.
Our Choice (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol beating Activist (10-13) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Beauchamp Trump 7-1 (8-0) Held up in rear brought down in race won by Monte Cristo (8-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol, 12 ran.
