The lack of a recent run may have told in the final furlong when KINGSCROFT was caught close home by the favourite March On Beetrott at Lingfield. That was his first run for over four months and if he's allowed his own way up front again here, Mark Johnston's charge could take the catching. He's preferred to Islesman, who won his maiden over C&D before finding the mile trip beyond him last time, while Whipphound and Bilko Pak have both been successful in claimers recently and could figure. Fred Willetts and Palm Pilot are others with claims in an open contest.
Bilko Pak (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, effort on inside approaching final furlong, never able to challenge, last of 4, 6l behind Tullius (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Fred Willetts (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Swift Alhaarth (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Whipphound 11-4 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, led approaching final furlong, edged left under pressure, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol beating Arowana (8-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Captain Dimitrios 8-1 (8-13) Pressed leader, ridden to lead narrowly over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Rosina Grey (8-11) at Kempton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Geordie Iris (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not able to trouble leaders, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Loki's Revenge (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Islesman 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Tullius (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Palm Pilot (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, led well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Podgies Boy (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol.
Kingscroft (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and joined 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind March On Beetroot (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
