Verdict

Holding Fast was beaten a couple of lengths when last seen at this track but today's longer trip may be a problem while Poetic Verse was still beaten out of sight when runner-up over 7f here in August last year. UNA BELLA COSA has been placed at the course and had Gabrial The Duke well behind when third at Wolverhampton last month. Alan McCabe's filly may just have the edge on Shearian and Napinda as the latter pair where placed on Polytrack last time but have yet to race on this slower surface.

Formwatch

Holding Fast (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3l behind Chelsea Grey (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.

Hanga Roa (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division on inside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 20l behind Holy Warrior (8-10) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jan.

Poetic Verse 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Taxiformissbyron (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.

Naughtybychoice 22-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, went 3rd halfway, ridden well over 1f out, weakened and lost 3rd over 1f out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Poetic Princess (8-4) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) fbs in Jul.

Una Bella Cosa 5-2fav (8-13) Led, ridden and hung right under pressure from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Hidden Link (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.

Gabrial The Duke (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression when eased inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 10l behind Hidden Link (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.

Shearian 3-1 (8-8) Chased leaders in 5th, headway on inside to chase leader 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Derwentwater (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Napinda 12-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 4, 2 1/4l behind It's Only Business (9-2) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.

Aphrodite Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear and pushed along, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 6l behind Pairumani Prince (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.

Birdy Boy (USA) 6-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10l behind Archie Stevens (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.