Verdict

Mister Marker needed every yard of the 3m1f trip last time and looks worth opposing up in the weights and down in distance and we'll do so in the shape of HOPEFUL START who gets the vote from Double Eagle. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding won a point-to-point on heavy going so conditions shouldn't be a problem and he should be seen to better effect now handicapping off a lowly mark of 104 with McCoy in the plate. Today's trip of 2m4f is perhaps slightly on the sharp side but with stamina set to be at a premium it would be no surprise whatsoever were this one to show markedly improved form and go close. Double Eagle is an interesting opponent despite carrying top weight here. Another runner for Donald McCain, this gelding ran as well as could've been expected over an inadequate 2m1f last time having been off the track for over a year and a half prior to that. Providing this seven-year-old doesn't bounce he must have a chance of improving on that third placed effort here in November now facing a more appropriate test of stamina and it will be interesting to see how the market speaks of his chances. Mister Marker wants further than this but if the ground does become even softer and they go a good gallop his stamina may well come into play and as a last-time-out winner who remains open to progress it would be folly to omit him from calculations altogether. Nicky Richards' son of Beneficial has had just seven starts so far and should be up to winning a race off this revised mark of 104 and indeed if this contest was over 3 miles he'd have been a confident pick. Rebeccas Choice has claims from the foot of the weights with the able Peter Toole booked to ride. The Rimmell runner has been placed the last twice under identical conditions and despite being bumped up 7lbs for the second of those two efforts this lightly raced six-year-old has each way claims, as does Rare Coincidence who will have no problems staying the trip and can be hard to pass when on song. Of the rest Time Out makes most appeal although the bounce factor must be considered and he's been raised in the ratings despite suffering defeat and so we return to Hopeful Start for our idea of the winner.

Formwatch

Double Eagle 11-4fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, chased leaders from 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Open de L'Isle (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.

Kempski 16-1 (11-6) Led, headed approaching 4th, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 26l behind Cassius (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.

Mini Beck 40-1 (10-12) Led to 9th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Bygones Of Brid (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.

Manadam (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, chased winner after 4 out until weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 29l behind Peters Star (10-7) at Haydock 3m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) hvy in Nov.

Rare Coincidence 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 21l behind Teviot Lass (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.

BallaBriggs (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next, 12th of 13, well behind Kandjar D'allier (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Nov '08.

Stormin Exit (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed when jumped left 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 27l behind Chicago Grey (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.

Time Out (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up, headway from 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Olifan d'Oudairies (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.

Mister Marker (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, led after last, driven out, won at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Miss Tarantella (10-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.

Hopeful Start (IRE) 5-4fav (10-9) Held up and off the pace, headway 6th, headway into modest 4th and hit 3 out, soon ridden, no chance when left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Casual Garcia (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov.

Bleu Pois (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, weakened approaching last, 6th of 8, 42l behind King of Confusion (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.

Turtle Spirit 6-1 (10-8) Prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened between last two, 4th of 11, 13l behind Natural Action (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.

Calfraz 28-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 7th, headway 4 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Laborec (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond clm hdl (4yo+) (5) sft in Nov.

Thatlldoforme 5-2fav (11-12) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, one pace, 4th of 12, 8l behind Bamby (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.

Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before next, soon hard pressed, kept on until ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Petroglyph (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.