Verdict

Great Ovation is selected over Longstone Lass in a race that should not take too much winning, with Awaken perhaps best of the remainder. Great Ovation has shown a fair level of consistency this term and will be fancied to atone after leaving the money in the bookies' satchels at Hereford in November. She came to win her race at the final flight but cold find no extra on the Flat, and although now 4lb higher in the ratings, has had a rest since and will line up a fresh horse. Richard Philips' mare has yet to open her account but the Addlestrop trainer will be confident that she can put matters right against today's opposition, the best of whom appears to be Longstone Lass who gained back-to-back victories at Sedgefield and Towcester in January. This confirmed front-runner will appreciate the return to this level and can give the selection most to do. Alan Swinbank saddles the lightly-raced Awaken who was never sighted on her recent timber bow at Market Rasen. She too is dropped in class and can improve enough to reach the frame, but with Longstone Lass to set things up, Great Ovation is taken to come late and swoop to victory.

Formwatch

Hope Sound (IRE) 12-1 Chased winner to 7th, weakening when blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Toms Gone Grey at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft, 5 ran.

Magic Bengie 66-1 Made virtually all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Jan '04 beating In Good Faith by 3/4l, 17 ran.

Blunham 200-1 Keen early, in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, 11th of 16, 49l behind Beanney at Catterick 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.

Fortune's Fool 16-1 Raced keenly towards rear, outpaced 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Signed And Dated at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Dec, 16 ran.

Sayoun (IRE) 200-1 Mid-division, headway to chase leaders when hit 6th, ridden approaching and hit 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Coat of Honour at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gf in Nov, 14 ran.

Spitfire Bob (USA) 50-1 In touch, reminders after 3rd, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 11, well behind The Market Man at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.

Longstone Lass 14-1 Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 20l behind Silver Sedge at Newcastle 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) sft.

Great Ovation (FR) 5-2fav Held up, headway after 4th, ridden approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Desert Spa at Hereford 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs in Nov.

Killoch Place (IRE) 66-1 Mid-division, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Goblin at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Jan, 8 ran.

Pagan Ceremony (USA) 20-1 Chased leader to approaching 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Idlewild at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (G) sft, 9 ran.

Awaken 50-1 Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Always Waining at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd.

My Sunshine (IRE) 66-1 Took keen hold, hampered 1st, held up towards rear, ridden and no impression after, 5th of 12, 18l behind Always Waining at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd.

Wyoming 100-1 Always behind, weakened from 5th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Narciso at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan, 13 ran.