Verdict

Us And Them was once a smart performer but that was a long time ago and he failed to finish in five starts before well beaten in a claiming hurdle at Leicester. Let's Have Another scored twice at Market Rasen last year before a run over fences then found 2m7f too far back on the former track last month. John McConnell sends three from Ireland today including Nevendon, still a maiden after nine starts over hurdles. AL ZARAQAAN won four races from August to December last year and has been racing in much better company than this subsequently. He carries the same weight as Glentruan but his overall form looks the stronger.

Formwatch

Al Zaraqaan 28-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, no impression, 10th of 12, dist behind Zambezi Fix (11-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.

Glentruan (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, not fluent 3 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 15, 17 1/2l behind Coral Blue (10-8) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.

Bashful 7-2 (12-0) In rear, steady headway into mid-division after 4 out, pushed along home turn, kept on, never on terms, 4th of 14, 14l behind Faithfulflyer (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.

Let's Have Another (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Raced wide, tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, ridden and pulled up approaching next, at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Feb.

Us And Them (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Raced wide, led, clear 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 37 3/4l behind No Rematch (11-10) at Leicester 2m (4) sft in Feb.

Nevendon 12-1 (10-8) Close up and pressed leader, soon clear of field, slight mistake 4th, disputed after 5 out, led narrowly next, led travelling well entering straight and reduced advantage, ridden before 2 out where slight mistake, headed before last where mistake, no extra run-in, 4th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Youralwaysdreamin (11-8) at Limerick 2m 5f sft in Jan.