In this very weak seller College City is expected to give weight and a beating to his rivals, Star Trooper and Emperor's Monarch should prove to be the best of them. The selection appears to be a better horse over fences and is rated accordingly. However he put in a very good effort in a similar race at Newcastle last time out and a repeat of that run should be good enough to land the spoils this afternoon. Star Trooper hit winning form this time last year and looked on the way back last time when runner up to Nebraska City over a shorter trip here. The extra distance is not a problem and he should be involved in the finish. Emperor's Monarch ran no sort of race last time out but had previously been placed in a better company. If on a going day he should be capable of fighting for a place. Frankincense and Gollinger are two old-timers in with a chance on their best form, but College City looks the pick of the weights and he gets the verdict.
College City (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance last, held flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Over To Joe (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Emperor's Monarch 10-3 (11-12) Led to 6th, outpaced from 3 out, 5th of 9, 17l behind Needwood Spirit (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Daisydell (IRE) 7-1co-fav (10-1) Mid-division, 13th 6 out, kept on from 3 out, 6th of 24, 14l behind Sarah Tansy (9-13) at Cork 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl sft.
Star Trooper (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) In touch, lost place 4th, headway when hampered approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Nebraska City (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) hvy.
Lazy Lena (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 15, 41l behind Thenford Star (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Frankincense (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 26l behind Needwood Spirit (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Bowdlane Barb 66-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 30l behind Zimbabwe (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Baligrundle 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led and quickened before next, 4 lengths clear 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Over To Joe (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Gollinger 7-2fav (9-13) Behind, ridden 4 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 20l behind Lethem Present (9-12) at Musselburgh 3m amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.
