Verdict

J'Adhere fell when favourite over fences at Fakenham last month and will appreciate a return to the smaller obstacles. He is marginally preferred to stablemate Be Ashored and gets 5lb from recent winner Alcalde though John Berry's gelding, who also won three times on the level, arguably has the most scope of these. Just One Thing was third at Fontwell last time but still looks too high in the weights, while Crackerjac Boy was pulled up at Huntingdon on Thursday and is now blinkered. Leopard Hills was tailed off on his return to action at Market Rasen but there may still be some mileage in ROYAL AND ANCIENT. Milton Harris continues to mix and match the headgear to try and get the best out of his four-year-old but he didn't run badly at Uttoxeter last month and this is far less competitive.

Formwatch

Alcalde 9-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leader 6th, led just after 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased close home, won at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Break The Chain (11-11) by 12l, 8 ran.

J'Adhere (FR) 2-1fav (10-9) Always in rear, hampered 3rd, never jumped well, fell last, in a race won by Lord Singer (11-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan, 6 ran.

Be Ashored 25-1 (11-0) Always in rear, ridden and struggling 5th, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Sherwani Wolf (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.

Just One Thing (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Tracked winner until hit 6th, ridden 3 out, 4th and beaten 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Marodima (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.

Crackerjac Boy (USA) 33-1 (11-11) Chased leaders on inside, lost place 6th, soon ridden, tailed off 4 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Rossbrin (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft, 12 ran.

Royal And Ancient (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 24l behind Pegasus Prince (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.

Leopard Hills (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when went left last 2, last of 11, well behind The Magic Bishop (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.