Verdict

Crossing The Bar's two victories over timber have been at this level including over the trip at Plumpton last month for which he's been raised 3lb. He's conceding 5lb to HAJEY (NAP) taking Tom Midgley's claim into consideration and Tracy Waggott's consistent performer landed a higher-class handicap here in January. He's yet to race over a trip this far but hasn't been stopping though wouldn't want the ground to ease. Nick Lost has been racing over fences in Ireland so his presence here is intriguing while Fingal's Hill, a winner at Newcastle a year ago, will have needed last month's comeback. Nora The Explorer was in excellent form at this time last year but finished last at Doncaster last month.

Formwatch

Crossing The Bar (IRE) 13-8 (12-2) Chased leader who went clear until 3rd, dropped to 3rd before 3 out, challenged on inside and not fluent 2 out, soon led, clear when ridden and edged right run-in, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp stks (4) gd in Feb beating Shot Boii (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.

Hajey 4-1 (10-13) Led, headed 4th, tracked leader, ridden 2 out, led next, ran on, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Chti Balko (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.

Nick Lost (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Mid-division, progress from 20th, 3rd and pushed along 4 out, soon ridden, 5th 2 out, no impression, 7th of 20, 16 3/4l behind Stealthy Tom (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Feb.

Fingal's Hill (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 30 3/4l behind Tanganyika (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Feb.

Nora The Xplorer 3-1 (11-8) Prominent on outside, not fluent 1st, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 6, 16 1/2l behind Queens Rock (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Feb.

City Derby (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) Close up, pushed along 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Malaita (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Feb.