1. MACARTHUR [11] Not shown much since he left O'Brien stable and with 9-10 to carry here is easily dismissed .
2. HELIODOR [21] Best form is over 10 f so will need to step up a notch or two to feature here and others would appear better handicapped .
3.DANSILI DANCER [14] Rock solid handicapper who wins his fair share .Took the Rosebery at Kempton first time out before being outclassed last time out . Wouldn't want the forecast rain to come .
4. ROYAL DIAMOND [6] Won 4 on the spin last season for Prescott .All these victories were over 1m 6f so interesting to see starting out over 2f less here . Another who could probably do without the rain .
5. DANGEROUS MIDGE [20] 3 wins from just 5 starts so far and now steps up in trip which promises to suit . Would seem to have a strong claim but another with slight doubts if the going changed .
6 .CLASS IS CLASS . Just the 1 win from 7 starts but was well backed on several occasions last season and connections obviously think theres more to come .Respectable chance .
7. FAR FROM OLD [4] This 7 -y-o has had just the 8 runs and not shown a lot in this country . Did win twice in France on soft going .Hard to get excited about .
8. CLASSIC VINTAGE [19] 4 wins from 12 races and had a nice pipe opener over 10f at Ponty [ Tartan Gigha franked the form on saturday] . Back over best trip and seems to go on any ground and must have a good chance here .
9. BECAUSEWECAN[1] Typical horse from this yard who will no doubt be there or there abouts in these types of races throughtout the season .A good e-w chance .
10. RECORD BREAKER [5] Second of the Johnston runners and another who should win a race or two this season . Finished 8th in this last season though and passed over today .
11. HILLVIEW BOY [12] Northern raider who takes on one of his toughest tasks to date .Should run ok but may not be up to winning this .
12 .PEVENSEY [16] Old boy who finished 13 of 14 in this last year so no logical reason to think he will shine today .
13. CHIBERTA KING [18] Last years winning combo and would appear to have a rock solid e-w chance running off a nice weight .
14. TINAAR [17] 2 wins from 7 races and this 4 -y -o looks to have plenty more to offer . Another well respected in a wide open affair .
15. MARTYR [8] Well behind Dansili Dancer at Kempton and would want rain to stay away . C & D winner but others more faniced .
16. REVE DE NUIT [10] Connections hoping a step up in trip will bring improvement and if it does could go well at a big price.
17 . OVERRULE [13] Fit from hurdling but will need to improve on flat form to figure here .
18 . OUSTER [9] Just had the 5 runs and another who had a pipe opener at Ponty . Best watched today i feel .
19. FUNDAY - NON-RUNNER .
20. TOPOLSKI [15] Didn't show much first time out and another who can only be watched today for future reference.
21. RAPTOR [7] 2 From 27 and despite carrying bottom weight doesn't strike me as a winner of this race . Wil find easier tasks later on .
SUMMARY
A wide open affair and still left with a 'short ' list of 6 !