BIRTHDAY STAR is the speculative selection in this affair with Champagne Shadow and Terminate likely to have their followers. Granted, Birthday Star has no form to recommend of late but with due respect, the handicapper has dropped him massively down the handicap and over a course-and-distance where he has obliged before, he could be worth a small bet at the likely odds. Champagne Shadow is a regular in low grade events. Both he and Terminate are previous winners though the latter has perhaps been in the better form of the pair. Carlton Scroop has been off the track for sometime but he has been the medium of a couple of gambles in the past. Ben Bacchus is an infrequent winner as his record suggests. Treetops Hotel was once useful in claimers but seems incapable of producing his better form these days. Historical Giant started his career with Aidan O'Brien but it has been a sharp descent ever since he was unplaced in a Tipperary maiden. Amwell Brave is on a very long losing streak. Birthday Star is a token selection in a race that makes the most limited of betting appeal.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4f out, last of 11, 13l behind Wind Flow (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Terminate (GER) 8-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to take 3rd, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Zalkani (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Amwell Brave 14-1 (8-11) Held up in main group, ridden and some headway 2f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 8l behind Zalkani (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, reminders halfway, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 16, 6l behind Wizard Looking (11-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Ben Bacchus (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Spume (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Welcome Cat (USA) 12-1 (9-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 24l behind Black Falcon (9-5) at Beverley 1m 4f clm (6) gf in Jun.
Sceilin (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 5l behind Formidable Guest (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Historical Giant (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Bumped start, in rear, some late headway from 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 14, 11l behind Epsom Salts (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Festival Dreams 25-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden and lost place 3f out, one pace final 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 10l behind Wyeth (11-2) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Birthday Star (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon dropped towards rear, no danger after, 8th of 12, 8l behind Prairie Hawk (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Treetops Hotel (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 14l behind Jane of Arc (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 4f sll (6) gd in Sept.
Aston Boy 8-1 (8-7) Held up, pushed along and outpaced 4f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Play Up Pompey (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
