Verdict

Catherine Walton was on board when SHALAMZAR won at Haydock in 2016 and her mount also won under Becky Smith on this track in December. That was a seller but this isn't much better so Micky Hammond's charge gets the nod. Becky Smith rides Russian Royale here but her mount hasn't won a race for a very long time. Pixiepot has yet to win over hurdles in 11 starts and could probably do with a drop in the ratings but Abbie McCain can claim her 3lb and Peter Niven's mare should go close. Wolfslair won in Ireland in 2016 but hasn't shown much for new connections.

Formwatch

Bronzallure (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, well beaten from 4 out, 10th of 13, dist behind Fin And Game (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) hvy in Jan.

Wolfslair (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, never on terms, weakening when blundered and unseated rider next, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.

Pixiepot 9-2 (11-2) In touch, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out, ridden before last, lost 2nd place run-in, no extra, 3rd of 13, 9 1/2l behind Wazowski (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.

Russian Royale 14-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 27l behind Princess Mononoke (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.

Royal Etiquette (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway when not much room and switched left before 3 out, 4 lengths 4th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.

Millen Dollar Man (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 36l behind Stuccodor (11-8) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.

Shalamzar (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Steel City (11-3) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Show's Over (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, headway to track winner after 7th, lost place before 3 out, eased soon after, pulled up before next, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.

Chasing Headlights (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 5th, no impression, well beaten after 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Pengo's Boy (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Sep.

Dolly's Dot (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders halfway, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Nefyn Bay (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.

Fiddler's Flight (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, dist behind Pookie Pekan (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.

Rock N'stones (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place before 4th, never on terms after, 9th of 12, 26l behind Shalamzar (10-7) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.