The usual bumper rules apply and with Grand Award having proved that a penalty is beyond his capabilities, DORT TRANQUILLE is selected. The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding was well down the field on his debut in this sphere last May at Stratford, his only racecourse appearance. He was an odds-on favourite that day, so it was clearly felt that he had ability, and he has been given plenty of time to overcome whatever issues he has had. With the yard continuing in fine form and particularly good in bumpers, we will take him to come good this time. Di Caprio is stepped up in trip after a decent effort in a 1m 5f contest here on debut and should be able to show at least some improvement for both those factors, while Irish point winner Carpincho is definitely worth a market check coming from a yard that has enjoyed an excellent winter so far. Tiger Bay is a well-related debutant from a yard that has always known the time of day in this grade, so the betting should provide us with more clues as to his chance, but Dort Tranquille is preferred.
Grand Award 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 13, 20l behind Megastar (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gd in Nov.
Carpincho (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Mid div, in tch 4out, rdn & up 2out, kow bef last where better j, rallied, all out to ld late, won at Maralin 3m ire ptp sft in Oct beating Some Fool (12-0) by nk, 11 ran.
Dort Tranquille (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) In touch, shaken up 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 12, 23l behind Kaladan (11-9) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gd in May.
Goring One (IRE) Broadway Flyer gelding out of Brigette's Secret.
Goring Two (IRE) Needle Gun gelding out of Kam Slave.
Hoback Junction (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Alw in tch, wknd 4out, sn twrds rr, 7th of 12, well behind Aghill (12-0) at Taylorstown 3m ire ptp gd in Oct.
I Owe Silver 16-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, tracked leader, challenged 7f out, led over 5f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside last, 6th of 9, 9l behind Cashpoint (11-4) at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Klampenborg 80-1 (10-9) In rear, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Mossini (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, some headway from 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 26l behind Mizzurka (10-6) at Newbury 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Rumbling Thunder (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 17, 45l behind Thunderstorm (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Tiger Bay (IRE) Goldmark gelding out of Roussanne.
Di Kaprio (FR) 4-1 (10-5) Led, hung right on bend 4f out, kept advantage, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Behindcloseddoors (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f 3yo nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Hijack The Duke (IRE) Exit To Nowhere gelding out of Pharleng.
Indian Ghyll (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 16, 19l behind The Laodicean (10-12) at Huntingdon 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) gd in Nov.
