Verdict

Night Of Passion steps up in grade in a bid to land the hat-trick but he's in such good form that a three-timer isn't out of the question. Royal Native raced with the choke out when fancied at Chepstow last time and didn't get home. But he still finished ahead of the disappointing Virginia Ash, who won this last year. Kind Of Easy made no show back over hurdles at Lingfield but this longer trip might help and he makes more appeal than Flemi Two Toes and Rocky Bender, who have also spent time over fences lately. SARANDO has to overturn Chepstow form last month with Virginia Ash but produced a much better effort at Warwick next time. He's on a decent mark at present and could play a part in this if still in the mood.

Formwatch

Curtain Razer (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Led until 6th, blundered and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Pete The Feat (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 6 ran.

Royal Native (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) With leaders on outside, lost place before 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 23l behind Moorlands Mist (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.

Kind Of Easy (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, 5th and beaten before next, 5th of 12, 15l behind Madness Light (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Cadeau George 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, soon went 3rd, no impression before 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Mosspark (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Sarando 20-1 (11-8) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, went modest before 2 out, one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Gunna Be A Devil (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.

Bangkok Pete (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up last, not fluent and pushed along 6th, struggling before 9th, soon lost touch, left poor 4th and slightly hampered 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Uxizandre (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.

The Red Laird 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders and lost place quickly after 8th, soon weakened, pulled up after next, in a race won by Woodford County (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.

Flemi Two Toes (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Several slow jumps early stages, chased leaders, lost place 7th, closed 9th, ridden and one pace 3rd 2 out, stayed on to close from last, led towards finish, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy beating Tarraco (10-12) by nk, 8 ran.

Rocky Bender (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Mid-division, in touch on outside 11th, outpaced in 3rd 4 out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Dark Glacier (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.

Virginia Ash (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 35l behind Moorlands Mist (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.

Milans Well (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, stayed on into mid-division from 2 out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 19l behind Green Bank (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.

Night Of Passion (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and ran on, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec beating Golden Calf (11-12) by 11l, 11 ran.