Lady Speaker, Great Approach and Lord Collingwood look the three to concentrate on in this trappy opener and the vote is given to Lady Speaker. The selection was a fair fourth on her debut this season behind Camden Bella. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and with improvement likely she looks the one to be on. Great Approach rates the main danger on his latest sixth behind Harmony Brig but he only needs one more run before he gets a handicap mark at that may be where his future lies. Lord Collingwood was a fair fourth in a bumper behind Kelshore Lad last time out. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut but the suspicion is he will improvement for the experience. The stable mates Hockenheim and Silver Dollars would have chances on their best form but with the yard continuing out form they look worth taking on and for the winner we return to Lady Speaker.
Bobby Icata 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Dancing Partner (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Feb '05.
Great Approach (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up and behind, some headway when hit 3 out, never able to challenge, 6th of 18, 31l behind Harmony Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Hockenheim (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, reminder after 4th, headway 5th, hit 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Lord Collingwood (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 11l behind Kealshore Lad (10-13) at Wetherby 2m nhf (5) sft in Feb.
Phantom Major (FR) 200-1 (10-10) Behind, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from next, never nearer, 5th of 18, 30l behind Harmony Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Silver Dollars (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 20, well behind Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Lady Speaker 10-1 (10-10) With leaders, led over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 8l behind Camden Bella (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gd in May.
Commanche Sioux 250-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 14, 17l behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
