SARAHS GIFT is taken to return to winning ways in a modest contest where Great Tsar and Prophete De Guye should feature. The selection had been a frustrating maiden prior to joining his current connections but he reeled off a hat-trick towards the end of the summer and looks a reformed character. He's gone off the boil somewhat but this is a weaker race than those he has contested of late which may enable him to bounce back. Great Tsar has yet to win a race under Rules and has returned a beaten favourite twice in his last three starts. The cheekpieces are retained despite appearing to have little effect at Lingfield but he can't be ignored in a race of this quality. Prophete De Guye comes here on the back of a disappointing run at Leicester but he had been strongly fancied for a similar race to this over course and distance prior to that only to unseat at the first. His last run was a rare bad performance and he's entitled to respect. Feeling Peckish ran a couple of fair races in November whilst Ticket To Ride is well handicapped on his best form but preference is for Sarahs Gift.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Keen, in rear, headway from 10th, ridden and went 3rd 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Sarahs Gift (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Soon held up in mid-division, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind Knighton Combe (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Great Tsar (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 4th of 7, 25l behind Gunship (9-13) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 9-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 14l behind Hello My Lovely (11-2) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 4-1 (10-2) Raced keenly, made most until after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, 32l behind Petroglyph (11-0) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
