Verdict

Sussex Ranger won well on debut at Fontwell and followed up in better company at Sandown. He won on soft going on the Flat and is a well-built type so will probably start favourite here, though faces several potentially-useful rivals. Look My Way had Embole behind when only finding Act Of Valour too good on debut at Newcastle. Famous Milly came well clear in a Listed race at Aintree on her second start and is the pick of the three fillies but we’ll take a chance on MERCENAIRE. He slaughtered Hold Me Tight by 25 lengths at Exeter and looks just the sort for a race like this.

Formwatch

Crucial Moment 6-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, led next, ridden and left clear last, eased, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec beating First Up (10-12) by 6l, 6 ran.

Embole (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden and one pace, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Act Of Valour (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (2) sft in Dec.

Hold Me Tight (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up off the pace in last pair, hampered 2nd, headway in 4th approaching 4th, distant 2nd before 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 25l behind Mercenaire (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.

Look My Way 11-10fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd place, challenged 3 out, every chance from next until no extra run-in, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Act Of Valour (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (2) sft in Dec.

Mercenaire (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Led until after 1st, led again before next, clear when hit 7th, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov beating Hold Me Tight (10-12) by 25l, 8 ran.

Sussex Ranger (USA) 9-2 (11-5) Made most, hit 2 out, ridden and ran on, won at Sandown 2m (2) gs in Dec beating Quothquan (11-0) by 14l, 7 ran.

Famous Milly (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up off the pace, closed from 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear last, easily, won at Aintree 2m 1f lst fll (1) hvy in Dec beating Malaya (11-3) by 17l, 6 ran.

Mirzam (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Held up, headway 3rd, weakened after 6th, 5th of 6, dist behind Cubswin (10-10) at Fakenham 2m fll (4) gd in Nov.

Pacofilha 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off, 6th of 15, dist behind We Have A Dream (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.