Verdict

This looks a bit of a shocker but it's impossible to have much faith in Madrasa after he weakened quickly and was pulled up at Doncaster a week ago. Most Honourable has gone backwards over the last nine months but Politbureau seems to be getting there slowly but surely. Copt Hill should be approaching peak fitness after a couple of runs and Danceintothelight is often thereabouts here, though was behind Simply Sam over course and distance last month. BIRTHDAY GUEST was still in front when falling at the second-last here at the start of last month. He's been taking on slightly better opposition lately so is given the chance to make amends, though First Of Never shouldn't be far away off a low weight.

Formwatch

Madrasa (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden and no extra between last 2, 4th and beaten when pulled up before last, in a race won by Nefyn Bay (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs, 10 ran.

Most Honourable 12-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 43l behind Teo Vivo (11-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.

Glendermot (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, 39l behind Glingerburn (11-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.

Politbureau 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, every chance 3 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Billy Two Tongues (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.

Birthday Guest (GER) 12-1 (10-7) Led, headed before 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 20l behind Beatabout The Bush (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.

Mad For Road (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and hung left before 2 out, not fluent last, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 6l behind Captain Sharpe (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.

Ardesia (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Behind, reminder after 3rd, struggling next, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Orchard Road (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.

Copt Hill 5-1 (11-1) Led, clear until 3rd, headed after 3 out, no impression before last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 11, 12l behind Deny (10-3) at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.

Danceintothelight 7-2fav (10-12) Behind, struggling before 8th, tailed off 3 out, plugged on to take remote 4th flat, never near leaders, 4th of 11, well behind Freedom Flying (9-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.

Simmply Sam 28-1 (10-7) Mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, outpaced next, rallied between last 2, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, always held, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Lights Of Broadway (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.

First Of Never (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Mid-division on inside, driven to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace, ridden to take 3rd before last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Nefyn Bay (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.

Newyearsresolution (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Led, pushed along before 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 15, 16l behind Milan Flyer (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.