Harrison's Star, Ericarrow and Abbaleen look a likely trio for the frame here but will side with MARDOOD in what is a poor opener. It is perhaps significant that Denis O'Regan does not partner Howard Johnson's Abbaleen and instead gets the leg-up on Chris Grant's Mardood. Not that the gelding has shown too much on the racecourse so far, but he was runner up in a Yarmouth maiden on good to soft in 2007 so should hopefully handle the ground here, and with first-time cheekpieces and O'Regan up the combination makes him a tentative pick. Abbaleen can't be any great shakes or the trainer wouldn't have him in here, and his Hexham debut was not hugely inspiring. However, he should have learned a fair bit for that outing, this ground is not as desperate, and with improvement of some sort likely he could go well. Harrison's Star is the one to beat at the weights, and he carries a BHA rating of 103, which is comfortably the highest mark here. He has plenty of experience but would probably prefer a sound surface to be at his best. Ericarrow produced a good effort in context at Ludlow last time and has claims coming from an in-form yard. Abolition is of most interest otherwise. He was rated 89 on the flat and has form with a bit of cut in the ground, and in this lowly company he should get home over the trip, so he has claims, but preference is for Mardood.
Abbaleen (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders until lost place from 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Pemberton (10-9) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Abolition (USA) 6-1 (8-11) With leader, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 11l behind Art Master (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo stk (3) pol in Oct '07 (Flat).
Ace of Spies (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, ridden 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Bulas Boy 40-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, mistake 5th, weakened from next and pulled up at the last in race won by Pemberton (10-9) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Harrison's Star 16-1 (10-12) Held up, reminders 5th, never trouble leaders, 11th of 14, 35l behind Admiral Savannah (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Mardood 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon driven and beaten, 4th of 5, 30l behind Nine Stories (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Born To Frill 100-1 (10-2) Held up and keen, swerved right and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Barashi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Ericarrow (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Prominent, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Invincible Rose (IRE) 80-1 (9-9) Held up mid-division, headed 5th, weakened 2 out, 12th of 15, 34l behind Mount Benger (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Sleeping 66-1 (8-1) Awkward start, held up, headway and carried left over 1f out, never able to challenge, 12th of 13, 24l behind Desiderio (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) gs in Oct (Flat).
Zaurel (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, well behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
