Verdict

This may not be as competitive as first appears as a few of these have a bit to prove at present. Monsieur Lecoq never looked like winning when a beaten favourite at Sandown last time but has been dropped a further 3lb and is starting to look well handicapped. He also holds Highway One O Two on that run. TIME FLIES BY is still seeking a first victory over timber but didn’t appear to appreciate the drop in trip in a Grade 3 at Ascot six weeks ago and he still has time on his side. Exeter maiden winner Martinhal is less exposed than stablemate Nordic Combined and the choice of Tom Scudamore and he makes more appeal than the likes of Witness Protection, Chti Balko and Stormy Flight at the weights.

Formwatch

Monsieur Lecoq (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, went modest 3rd, 3rd of 9, 20 3/4l behind Guard Your Dreams (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.

Chti Balko (FR) 4-1 (11-13) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, led 4 out until 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Millers Bank (11-5) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Highway One O Two (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and no headway before 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, dist behind Guard Your Dreams (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.

Sir Valentine (GER) 7-2 (11-8) Midfield, not fluent 1st, ridden towards rear 7th, kept on under pressure 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind Enzo D'Airy (10-11) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Witness Protection (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leader, led before 3 out, ridden when not fluent last, hard pressed flat, found more to hold 2nd towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Can You Call (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.

Nordic Combined (IRE) 10-3 (10-4) Chased winner, led 3 out, headed next, 2 1/2 lengths 3rd and looked to be fading when fell last, at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Time Flies By (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) In touch in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, pushed along after next, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 17, 18 1/4l behind Not So Sleepy (11-6) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) hvy in Dec.

Martinhal (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, chased new leader from 3 out, rallied as leader awkward last, ridden to lead narrowly run-in, kept on gamely, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Karl Philippe (11-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.

Stormy Flight (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden and went modest 3rd between last 2, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Bear Ghylls (11-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Song Of The Hunter (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Mid-division, off the pace 2nd, went 3rd after 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 15 3/4l behind The Mick Preston (11-12) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.