Verdict

DEADLY STING hasn't raced since October but won a bumper at Aintree on that occasion. He's taken to make a winning start over timber in this company. Our Pollyanna, who was also engaged yesterday, made the frame on her hurdling debut over hurdles at Warwick without threatening the winner and the same comment applies to Maison De Ville, third at Musselburgh last month. At Reception has been placed in a bumper and point-to-point winner Always Archie is worth noting for any support on his debut under Rules.

Formwatch

Always Archie 13-8 (12-0) Hdwy 8; led 14 til hdd 3 out; wknd nxt, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Watch The Birdie (11-0) at Gelligaer Farmers 3m ptp gf in May.

At Reception (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, went 3rd 3f out, driven and stayed on to 2nd 2f out, no chance with easy winner, kept on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Wilde Blue Yonder (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.

Deadly Sting (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden briefly 10f out, headway 8f out, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, carried left entering final furlong, bumped 150 yards out, led towards finish, edged right and bumped rival close home, held on, won at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (5) gd in Oct beating Bally Braes (11-0) by hd, 7 ran.

Withoutdefavourite (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Ld/disp early, drpd to 3rd at 6th, not qckn with ldrs in mod 4th 4out, drpd to 5th aftr 3out, no ex 2out & wknd, 5th of 16, 26l behind Thornhill Flyer (11-6) at Grennan 3m ire ptp in Nov.

Yasir (USA) 4-1 (9-7) Steadied start well in rear, smooth progress from 5f out, ridden to chase clear winner 3f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Arr' Kid (9-1) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs (flat).

Maison De Ville (GER) 8-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division and keen, ridden and headway before 2 out to take 3rd, one pace, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Cloudante (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Our Pollyanna (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division on inside, not fluent 4th, steady headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression when mistake last, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Keshi Pearl (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.