Verdict

The three most interesting runners in this field are Winter Star, Peters Star and Devils Disguise with our vote going to the Irish raider. Winter Star won a bumper at Musselburgh on good ground back in December 2005 and didn't reappear until January 2007. His latest effort was just his fifth run since that bumper success and was by far and away his best performance. It came at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles and saw him stay on well to finish fourth; neither the longer trip nor quicker ground should pose a problem and he should go close if building on his latest outing. Peters Star, also a bumper winner, races beyond two and a half miles for the first time as he makes his handicap debut this afternoon. The trip should suit and he's shown enough to indicate that he could be a player in this company. Devil's Disguise hasn't stood a great deal of racing but last month's return was satisfactory and he could well get involved if able to build on that display. The market should prove informative but Winter Star looks capable of taking this prize back across the Irish Sea.

Formwatch

Tickateal 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and no impression from 4 out, 6th of 16, 33l behind Native Coral (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.

Izzykeen 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 17l behind Jackie Boy (10-10) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.

I'm Your Man 18-1 (11-7) Led to 5th, weakened next, 7th of 9, 22l behind Jazz Dance (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.

Peters Star (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Led, jumped left 5th, not fluent next, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 16, 47l behind Hold Em (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Devil's Disguise 12-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, effort next, ridden and one pace between last 2, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Our Joycey (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.

Moon Melody (GER) 10-1 (9-10) Close up, with winner 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Fresh Winter (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft, 12 ran.

Silver Feather (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, reminders and lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bold Ransom (10-7) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan, 16 ran.

Esquillon 16-1 (9-12) Always behind, struggling halfway, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Fresh Winter (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.

Old Noddy (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Behind, blundered badly 1st, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 10 ran.

Sunbolt (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 16, 22l behind Holiday Cocktail (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sept.

Emerald Destiny (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Northern Quest (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec, 12 ran.

Greenock 11-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 7th of 15, 26l behind Millie The Filly (10-5) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.

Vicentio 16-1 (10-4) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 46l behind Willie The Fish (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.

Cheers Thank You (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out and weakened from next, 6th of 14, 37l behind Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.

Gagarin (FR) 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, 7th of 13, 34l behind Dundock (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.

Winter Star 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, progress approaching 3 out, 6th 2 out, kept on, 4th of 16, 10l behind Mcalpine (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl sft.

Fair Spin 33-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 12th of 16, 41l behind Polly Whitefoot (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.