Verdict

Jack Valentine has disappointed since a winning debut over fences at Leicester and was beaten a long way on his reappearance. Boagrius finished runner-up from this mark over the track and trip in July and should get involved though a recent run can hand the initiative to OUT ON THE TEAR. A dual hurdles winner, he scored comfortably over fences at Catterick in December and was in touch for a long way in a better race at Worcester last month, a race in which Demopolis pulled up. Ben Brody won two Class 5 handicaps last winter but ran poorly when favourite for his final start at Sedgefield in March.

Formwatch

Jack Valentine (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led on long run before 3 out, headed approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 28l behind Sopran Thor (11-10) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.

Boagrius (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) 2nd or 3rd, pecked slightly 2nd, challenged 2 out until last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Sir Tivo (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jul.

Star of Rory (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Towards rear, pushed along 10th, never on terms, 7th of 11, 32l behind Yggdrasil (10-11) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.

Out On The Tear (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Led 2nd, headed next, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, no impression on winner last, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 10, 13l behind Magic Dancer (11-4) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.

Demopolis (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, jumped right 1st, behind 8th, pulled up before 3 out, at Worcester 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.

Baby King (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 4 out, well beaten from next, 5th of 7, 32 1/4l behind Jamacho (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.

Ben Brody (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Prominent, pushed along after 8th, ridden after 9th, dropped to rear 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.

O Ceallaigh (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Led until after 2 out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 11, 15 1/2l behind Risk And Roll (12-4) at Stratford 2m 5f (5) sft in Mar.

Llantara 14-1 (10-9) Not fluent 1st, always towards rear, 10th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Sexy Lot (11-10) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Apr.