Verdict

More low grade stuff and NORMINSTER can continue his winning streak at the expense of Gunadoir and Hollows Mill. All credit has to go to the trainer's shrewd placing of Norminster over the last few months as the eight-year-old was able to make hay at the Northern tracks from a very low base figure. Life is more difficult now, especially as he won't be benefitting from Ryan Mania's 5lb claim today but Phil Kinsella is a competent substitute and his form has looked solid in relation to many here. Gunadoir has switched yards recently but she didn't really threaten to get past our selection when they last met and while better treated at these terms, she still has obvious questions to answer. Hollows Mill knows how to win around here and he didn't do too much wrong when last seen out in November over course-and-distance. Duke Of Malfi is likely to front run again. He is entirely capable though is prone to racing a little too keenly for his own good. Mr Twins is exposed as plating class but his recent run at Musselburgh represented an improvement on what had come before it. Lerida and Royal Glen renew rivalries again. The pair have been out of form so have it to prove in order to trouble our selection. Shelomoh shaped well on debut for new connections and is one to make a note of in the market. Oso Magic is on a very long losing run but it's worth noting that he is rated 95 in comparison to the figures of 120+ that he had obtained earlier in his career. Storm Surge did not show much for Henrietta Knight and the grey makes his second start for Martin Todhunter. Plenty of plausible winners but Norminster makes most appeal.

Formwatch

Oso Magic 5-1 (11-2) Led to 8th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, no extra from last, 6th of 9, 6l behind More Like It (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs (4) gs in Dec.

Duke of Malfi 4-1 (10-9) Led to 6th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sammy Spiderman (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs (4) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.

Hollows Mill 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5 out, led 2 out, hard driven, headed near line, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Cooldine Lad (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.

Norminster 5-2 (11-2) In touch, led last, stayed on, won at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec beating Gunadoir (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.

Royal Glen (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden 7th and soon beaten, 6th of 10, 38l behind Watch My Back (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.

Gunadoir (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Norminster (11-2) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.

Shelomoh (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon ridden, left 4 lengths 3rd last, rallied flat, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind More Like It (11-8) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Storm Surge (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, remained close up, every chance 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Norminster (11-2) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.

Lerida 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 9th, soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Festival King (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.

Neidpath Castle 15-2 (10-3) Prominent, effort approaching 3 out, 3rd and held when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Sunny Brook (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.

Mr Twins (ARG) 9-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 13l behind Divex (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.

Lucozade 20-1 (10-0) In rear, headway 4f out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 25l behind Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.