European Dream was a facile winner at Newcastle three weeks ago but may find the conditions too fast for him today, while similar comments apply to Lincoln fifth My Paris and the sixth Audience and a safer bet looks to be Acheekyone. The selection failed to win a race last term from admittedly limited opportunities but Brian Meehan's gelding ran some creditable races in defeat including first time out and, off what seems a decent mark, he gets the vote. Audience, Bolodenka and Zero Tolerance all finished behind My Paris in the Lincoln but are not without chances of reversing Newcastle form, especially Bolodenka, on today's faster ground. Sir Michael Stoute's Heaven Sent is less exposed than most and has to be respected from his light weight as does Michael Bell's reappearing Direct Debit but the vote in a competitive contest goes to Acheekyone.
Zero Tolerance (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Led early stand's side group, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 13th of 20, 15l behind Very Wise (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Pinpoint (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 8th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Folio (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Nov.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) (8-11) Never dangerous, 8th of 13, 9l behind Garnica (8-9) at Baden-Baden 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Rocamadour 66-1 (9-7) Prominent, lost place over 2f out, 31st of 33, well behind Formal Decree (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Ace of Hearts 20-1 (9-7) Raced centre, mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 20, 5l behind Rain Stops Play (8-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Bolodenka (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, stand's side group, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 8th of 20, 12l behind Very Wise (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 12, 6l behind Watamu (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Royal Oath (USA) 5-2jt-fav (9-0) Mid-division, ridden when short of room over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 10th of 14, 3l behind Areyoutalkingtome (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
The Snatcher (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 14th of 16, 19l behind Al Qasi (8-13) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Sept.
My Paris 9-1 (9-1) Chased leaders stand's side group, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 20, 9l behind Very Wise (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Night Crescendo (USA) 5-1 (9-5) In touch, driven over 2f out, switched left and kept on from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Layazaal (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Zato (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, never a factor, 9th of 12, 5l behind Waterside (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
European Dream (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up stand's side group, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led stand's side group entering final furlong, kept on well, won at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar beating Dancing Lyra (9-1) by 6l, 19 ran.
Acheekyone (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Held up behind, headway to chase winner over 1f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, hung left, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Illustrious Blue (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Direct Debit (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Raced near side mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased, 25th of 30, 27l behind Sir Gerard (8-12) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Marajaa (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Waterside (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Audience 20-1 (8-9) Towards rear stand's side group, hampered after 1f, headway over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 20, 10l behind Very Wise (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Heaven Sent 11-4fav (8-8) In touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Dream Theme (8-6) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Fajr (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Robustian (8-5) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Rapid City 7-2 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner until just inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Councellor (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Nanton (USA) 22-1 (8-4) Mid-division, effort when not much room over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Giganticus (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Macedon 7-1 (8-11) Raced in mid-division on rails, ridden and kept on under pressure final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mosharref (8-12) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (3) gf in Sept.
Middlemarch (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, not much room on inner over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 7th of 17, 3l behind Exit Smiling (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.