Verdict

MORNING SUNSHINE can warm punters during this cold snap and land this with Cordier and King's Majesty also in with claims. Donald McCain's charge is unexposed enough to improve from a couple of decent runs in the last two outings. Both have ended up in runners-up spots revealing that his mark is now about right and although the form from the last outing is poor he has enough in the locker to win. Cordier is a consistent sort, who has a weight advantage over the protagonists. He should find the going and trip to suit here and a return to his hold up tactics should have him close off a very competitive mark. King's Majesty was a winner at Fakenham four starts ago and has since struggled under his new mark. That has been eased slightly here but still could be in the grip of the assessor although the return to this distance is a plus. Motive is capable of running a big race at a double figure price under his current rating while Maneki Neko may still be under too much of a burden so we side with Morning Sunshine.

Formwatch

King Daniel 25-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, weakened after 5 out, 12th of 14, well behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.

Best Prospect (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up behind, not fluent, in 6th and beaten when blundered 2 out, 8th of 10, 24l behind Cedrus Libani (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.

Motive (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked clear leader from 3rd, hit 7th, ridden and weakened from 8th, 11th of 15, well behind Viper (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.

Maneki Neko (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 15l behind Amazing King (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.

Puy d'Arnac (FR) 2-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 38l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.

King's Majesty (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 17l behind Ned Ludd (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.

Letham Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, struggling after next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind It's Rumoured (10-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.

Morning Sunshine (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, 1 length down and chased winner next, soon one pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Doeslessthanme (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.

March Mate 8-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mid-division halfway, lost place after 4 out, ridden and some headway to chase leaders 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 14, 20l behind Caravel (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Dec.

Tiger King (GER) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division until weakened from 8th, 9th of 15, well behind Viper (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.

Cordier 7-4fav (11-12) Led after 2nd, headed approaching 1 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Naughty By Nature (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.

Ardesia (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 7th of 16, 26l behind Bedizen (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.

Crosby Jemma 22-1 (11-7) Towards rear, blundered 2nd, never dangerouus, 10th of 17, 26l behind Three Thieves (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.