Verdict

El Chico showed enough at Doncaster to earn the vote ahead of Key Decision, Lake Barrine and Spare Days. The selection was beaten in excess of twenty lengths but was noted making late headway from off the pace. That race was run over a mile and five so this longer trip should be ideal for this stoutly bred gelding and he's taken to make the necessary improvement. Key Decision wasn't very strong in the market on debut and failed to feature at Kelso on heavy ground. The quicker ground may well suit this Flat bred gelding far better and we could see a different performance this afternoon. Lake Barrine has run a couple of fair races and should be in the mix again but Spare Days may be of more interest. He was backed into 6-1 from double figure odds on debut and wasn't disgraced behind an impressive winner. The going was desperate that day and he, too, could leave that form behind. The market may guide to the newcomers but we'll hope that around quarter past five is El Chico time.

Formwatch

Jardines Jack 125-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Le Platino (10-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec.

Lake Barrine 20-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 3f, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 8l behind Calaficial (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn nhf (6) pol in Dec.

To The Wind 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 7f out, soon lost place, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Northern Blaze (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy.

She's So Lucky (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Chased leaders until weakened 3f out, 8th of 15, 31l behind Touch of Irish (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.

Spiders Star 100-1 (10-2) Behind and struggling from halfway, last of 18, well behind Noble Alan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Nov.

El Chico 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort over 3f out, faded from over 1f out, 9th of 21, 13l behind Sunsetten (10-12) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Jan.

Fov (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 9th of 15, 32l behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.

Honest John Alzao gelding, half-brother to winners in Italy and Canada.

Key Decision (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen early, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 15, 28l behind Lets Go Girls (10-2) at Kelso 2m 4yo nhf (6) hvy in Jan.

Run Forest Run (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 15, 24l behind Lets Go Girls (10-2) at Kelso 2m 4yo nhf (6) hvy in Jan.

Sir Mark (IRE) In The Wings gelding, brother to winning bumper Wisteria Lane, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.

Spare Days 6-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, 7th of 15, 33l behind Katapult (11-1) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Jan.

Ethel Briggs 25-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Dancingwithbubbles (11-9) at Southwell 2m mrs nhf (6) gd in Jan.

Jayne Dean Rock City filly out of a moderate racemare.

Kafamber Kayf Tara filly out of winning hurdler Leading Note.

Loves Life Pursuit of Love filly, related to numerous winners from 5f-2m.