Verdict

There's no recent winning form to go on in this lowly handicap, though LAYLA'S BOY did finish a close-up third over track and trip last month. This looks slightly easier and he gets the nod. Ice Tres was still beaten five lengths when runner-up at this track last time and Lord Golan finished closer when third at Lingfield on his penultimate start. Midnight Bahia scored over course and distance nearly a year ago and is only 1lb higher today, while Impeccability posted a much better effort when beaten a length in similar company here on her latest start.

Formwatch

Layla's Boy 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final 2f, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Funky Munky (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.

Ice Tres 5-1 (8-10) Disputed 2nd, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Monzino (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.

Lord Golan 14-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened 5f out, 9th of 13, 22l behind Hussar Ballad (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs in Nov.

Midnight Bahia (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, well behind Amantius (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.

Primacy (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden 8f out, weakened 6f out, 11th of 13, 30l behind Auden (9-10) at Southwell 1m 3f (6) fbs in Dec.

The Yank 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression when switched left inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 7l behind Jamaica Grande (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Excellent News (IRE) 10-1 (8-2) Pressed winner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 22l behind Minority Interest (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.

Azabitmour (FR) 12-1 (8-6) Refused to race, in a race won by Dellbuoy (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec, 8 ran.

Agapanthus (GER) 50-1 (9-0) Very slow away, in rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 16l behind Striding Edge (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb '12.

Fair Breeze 7-2 (9-2) Tracked leading pair, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 4, 12l behind Vertueux (9-13) at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Sep.

Impeccability 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, headway 4f out, led well over 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, headed 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 1l behind This Is Me (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.