Kentucky Boy disappointed at Wetherby when last seen on Boxing Day but Jedd O'Keeffe's gelding has every chance on earlier form at the same venue and has to be considered off what seems a fair mark but ILLICIT SPIRIT is less exposed than his rivals and Charlie Egerton's gelding looks worth chancing on his first start since March 2007 and gets the vote over Tarateeno. Pat Murphy's gelding has shown improved form in his last two starts, latterly when a close third behind Supreme Keano at Towcester and he has every chance of finally opening his account on what would be his lucky 13th outing. Robin Dickin's Rothres ran better at Ludlow last time and she would have every chance on that evidence but she is not the most consistent of runners. Irish point-to-point winner Porta Vogie seems a shade high in the weights judged by his debut outing in a handicap at Warwick last time, while Capal Dubh Alainn has given little sign of encouragement in three starts over hurdles but may do better now sent handicapping. Illicit Spirit has shown improved form with each start, Charlie Egerton is more than capable of producing one to win after a long absence and he is taken to do so again here with the lightly raced seven-year-old.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after next, one pace from 2 out, left 4th last, 4th of 18, 21l behind Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rothres (FR) 125-1 (11-0) Always prominent, led after 5th, headed next, led 7th, headed 3 out, one pace from 2 out, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Dancingwithbubbles (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Illicit Spirit (IRE) 4-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, led soon after 3 out, hard driven flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Strawberry (11-3) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft in Mar '07.
Kentucky Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, blundered 6th, continued tailed off from 3f out, 10th of 14, well behind Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 11th of 15, 36l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Porta Vogie (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 3 out, headed and hung left approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 26l behind Sexy Rexy (11-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Tarateeno 7-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden from 7th, plugged on one pace, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Court Princess 66-1 (10-9) Hit 1st, always rear, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Awesome George (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Capal Dubh Alainn (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) In touch, outpaced 3 out, mistakes last two, ran on, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Prince De Beauchene (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
