Verdict

There are likely to be one or two upsets today with the ground as testing as it is and MAC TOTTIE could provide one of them. Recent improvement at Market Rasen was expected and he possibly found 3m too far last time under a big weight. A drop in trip should also suit Nestor Park, who is running well, while Umbrigado won a shade cosily at Fontwell and should have more to offer. Maypole Class is on a hat-trick and High Up In The Air is on a four-timer, though takes a big step up in class. Alnadam found Kempton too sharp on Boxing Day when behind Hold The Note and Lieutenant Rocco is clearly talented and should go close again, despite top weight.

Formwatch

Lieutenant Rocco (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, narrowly headed 5th, pushed along after 13th, ridden before 3 out, dropped to rear before 2 out, kept on after last but lacked pace to trouble front pair, last of 3, 6 3/4l behind Messire Des Obeaux (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.

Umbrigado (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, close 2nd 4 out, ridden between last 2, challenged last, led run-in, asserted final 100 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Up The Straight (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.

Hold The Note (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Raced on inner, tracked leader until led 2nd, headed 7th, chased leader until hit 11th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on run-in, 5th of 10, 26l behind Killer Clown (10-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Alnadam (FR) 4-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 10th, pushed along before 12th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next, 8th of 10, 29 1/2l behind Killer Clown (10-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Nestor Park (FR) 13-2jfav (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 16th, led 4 out, mistake last, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 14, nk behind Amateur (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Maypole Class (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader 3 out, led soon after next, ridden and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Duhallow Lad (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.

Thegallantway (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in touch in last trio, headway chasing leaders approaching 8th (water), 3rd when hit 4 out, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out, dropped to 3rd approaching and blundered last, 3rd of 8, 14 1/4l behind St Barts (11-7) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Mac Tottie 5-2jfav (11-11) Chased leaders on inside, lost place after 7th, rallied 4 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Eclair Mag (11-6) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.

High Up In The Air (FR) 5-6fav (12-5) Made all, came clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating En Coeur (10-0) by 6l, 9 ran.