Verdict

Ask The Weatherman is better known as a chaser but made a winning debut, at the age of 10, over hurdles at Exeter. Ardlethen beat Good And Hardy 13 lengths at Uttoxeter and should confirm the form, despite worse terms, but was well held when falling at the last earlier in the race won by TRIO FOR RIO (NAP). Warren Greatrex’ charge has since run in a Grade 2 at Sandown and, back at Bangor, given supporters of the odds-on Two For Gold a fright. That looks the best form on offer, though there should be more to come from Secret Reprieve after he caused a 50/1 shock here on just his second start. Shaman Du Berlais has run well the last twice and should have no problem with this step up in trip but winning pointer No Hidden Charges faces a stiff task on his debut under Rules.

Formwatch

Ardlethen (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, clear last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Good And Hardy (11-0) by 13l, 11 ran.

Ask The Weatherman 6-1 (10-12) Raced quite lazily, made all, not fluent 1st, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec beating Shamilan (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.

Oliver's Island (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) In touch on outside, closed 5th, led before 3 out, clear next, reduced lead final 75 yards, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Costante Via (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.

Secret Reprieve (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, steady progress 4th, challenged approaching last, ridden to lead close home, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec beating Smiths Cross (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.

Trio For Rio (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, driven after 3 out, headed last, rallied and every chance throughout run in, just failed, 2nd of 6, nk behind Two For Gold (11-5) at Bangor 2m 7f (4) gs in Jan.

Black Centaur (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 7th, not fluent next, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 16, dist behind Lisnagar Oscar (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.

Broadclyst (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Hdwy 8; outpcd aft 14; chall 3 out; ev ch last; one pce, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Navanman (12-4) at Wadebridge 3m in Dec.

Clondaw's Answer (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 14th of 16, dist behind Present Value (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Dec.

Golden Sovereign (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, ridden and no impression on leaders before 3 out, went modest 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 26 1/4l behind Captain Drake (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Dec.

Good And Hardy (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 6th or 3 out, led before 7th, headed 2 out, no impression on winner after, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Ardlethen (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.

No Hidden Charges (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Mid div, jmpd wll, clsr 1/2way, prog to disp 5out, wo 4out, 2l clr last, sow to line, won at Lingstown 3m gd in Nov beating Vital Island (12-2) by 6l, 5 ran.

Officernisi (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened 6th, tailed off, 13th of 18, dist behind Greaneteen (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.

Shaman Du Berlais (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in last trio, headway on outside chasing leaders 4th, went 2nd on extended run before 2 out, every chance last, hung left and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Lamanver Pippin (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.

Voila Eric 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 7th until before 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Ardlethen (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.

Lady Kingsmill 3-1 (11-7) (cp) a handy; cl 3rd 14; lft in ld 3 out; hdd & no ex last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind One Big Love (11-7) at Buckfastleigh 3m mdn hvy in Feb.

The Crafty Touch (IRE) 4-6 (12-2) Ld/disp on inner, b mstk 7th, ld bef 3out,asserted bef 2out, 6l adv & in command when b mstk last, sow, won at Turtulla 3m gd in Nov beating Cubanera (11-11) by 4l, 2 ran.