Verdict

Spivitus, Pendle Forest, Tetragon and Frankincense all feature on the short-list but it may be worth taking a chance with one of the two unexposed runners that bookend the weights. We'll pin our hopes on Peterpan De Solzen ahead of Fire In Cairo but a market check is advised. Ferdy Murphy's runner has been well beaten in all three completed starts in novice hurdles but is handicapped accordingly and faces his first realistic assignment. Rose Davidson rode a double at the weekend so should be riding with confidence and her mount may be able to step up his game. Fire In Cairo has failed to feature in his three starts over hurdles, including in selling and claiming contests. It's too soon to write him off though and connections certainly have plenty of room to work with from his current mark. Pendle Forest has made the frame in each of his three visits here and makes some appeal as an each-way option in a race where it may pay to tread carefully but Peterpan De Solzen is our nominal nomination.

Formwatch

Peterpan de Solzen (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, not fluent next, kept on flat, 3rd of 11, 37l behind Quality Control (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.

Sovereign State (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place 4 out, weakened next, 11th of 16, 34l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (10-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.

Spivitus 150-1 (11-4) Always behind, lost touch from 5th, 13th of 15, well behind Halla San (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Tirailleur (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Lost touch after 3rd, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Fair Dual (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.

Endless Night 28-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden after 6th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, well behind Katess (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.

Pendle Forest (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leader, led after 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 27l behind Theatre Belle (10-6) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (5) sft.

Biscar Two (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) In rear, driven when mistake 4th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Ede's (10-8) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.

Frankincense (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 15, well behind Theatre Belle (10-6) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (5) sft.

Backscratcher 28-1 (9-8) Led, headed 2nd, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Barton Legend (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.

Boscall Hill (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Kappelhoff (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Dec, 9 ran.

Tetragon (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 12, 24l behind Sheikhman (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.

Gavanello 14-1 (10-5) Chased leaders until weakened after 2 out, 5th of 17, 11l behind Spivitus (10-11) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Dec.

Roadworthy (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid division, ridden 9th and weakened from 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.

Lightening Fire (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 23l behind Brousse En Feux (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f amt nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Dec.

Strong Approach (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Sheikhman (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy, 12 ran.

Booster Divin (FR) 9-1 (9-11) Always behind, jumped badly right 3rd, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Ask The Umpire (10-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.

Fire In Cairo (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Raced keenly, made most to 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 48l behind Taran Tregarth (9-11) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.