Verdict

A really wide-open handicap may see Fair Question bounce back from a break to beat the likes of Rift Valley, Idaho d'Ox, Naos De Mirande and Ingres. Fair Question has not been seen since slamming Alaipour by 12 lengths at Perth in June 2004 and so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but he has the class to prevail that is for sure. Described by Sam Thomas as a machine after that last success, he will no doubt be aimed higher once this race is out of the way. Winner of the German St Leger when trained by John Dunlop on the Flat, he will have no problems handling the softish ground and should be followed. Rift Valley has not been seen since finishing fourth at Market Rasen in August, but he is a danger and makes slightly more appeal than Idaho d'Ox who was behind the Hobbs runner when they met at Ludlow last May. Naos De Mirande ran out of steam over three miles at Warwick last time and has topweight to overcome, while Ingres failed to give weight away to Pires at Ludlow in January and has place claims at least. There are too many ifs and buts to make this race a reliable betting proposition, and only a small wager is recommended on Fair Question.

Formwatch

Naos De Mirande (FR) 11-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last, 9th of 15, 14l behind Nine De Sivola (9-7) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.

Idaho d'Ox (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Rift Valley (10-11) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in May.

Magot de Grugy (FR) 7-2fav (11-0) Tracked leader, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 34l behind Dom d'Orgeval (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Dec.

Rift Valley (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, driven and lost place 5th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from last, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 19l behind Midnight Creek (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Aug.

Ingres 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, ran on flat, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.

Fair Question (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Made all, soon clear, not fluent 5th, unchallenged, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gf in Jun '04 beating Alaipour (10-7) by 12l, 7 ran.

Bonny Grey 25-1 (10-3) Chased leader, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.

Aldiruos (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced approaching 4 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner next, ridden 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Supreme Leisure (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.