Acropolis finished lame in the race won by Alfred The Great (runs in 1.50pm) here last month and is taken to begin making up for lost time and score at the main expense of The Duke's Speech and Industrial Star. The selection was a classy performer at his best on the flat and while he is hard to back with confidence following his debut effort over hurdles, the chances are that Howard Johnson's gelding is going to be too classy for his rivals. Keith Reveley's Ring The Boss has come from bumpers and may not have the speed to cope with his main rivals, while Overdrawn regressed on the level and is probably best watched at present. The Duke's Speech had some decent form in bumpers and gained a deserved first success over hurdles at Ayr last time but a penalty for that success leaves Tom Tate's gelding with more to do, while this looks tougher than the Catterick race that Industrial Star won last time. In the hope that he can recapture some of his best flat form, Acropolis is the one that gets the vote.
Industrial Star (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 3 out, led last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Balyan (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Made all, clear when blundered 2 out, hit next, easily, won at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Le Millenaire (11-5) by 11l, 10 ran.
Dispol Peto 28-1 (9-3) Behind and outpaced, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 10l behind Set Alight (9-8) at Southwell 7f stk (F3) fbs (Flat).
Mr Attitude 200-1 (11-5) In touch until weakened halfway, 10th of 15, well behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Nicozetto (FR) 150-1 (11-4) Led until headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 13th of 15, well behind Masafi (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Overdrawn (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakening and mistake 3 out, 14th of 19, well behind Border Castle (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Overnight 50-1 (10-12) Held up and pulled hard, joined leader after 3f, ran wide after 4f, virtually pulled up halfway, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Stolen Moments (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Phantom Major (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Towads rear, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 36l behind Money Trix (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Ring The Boss (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, tracked leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 11l behind Zeitgeist (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Romanov Rambler (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 6th, weakening when fell 3 out in race won by Hard Act To Follow (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Saros (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out and headed, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 11l behind King After (8-5) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd in Sept (Flat).
Claudia May 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind The Duke's Speech (11-5) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Witch Power 50-1 (10-0) Held up, always behind, 5th of 8, 42l behind Hard Act To Follow (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Acropolis (IRE) 5-2co-fav (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last, 4th of 15, 13l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Jan.
