Verdict

Thoutmosis lines up in search of a hat-trick and can complete the task in hand ahead of the likes of Fard Du Moulin Mas, Halland and Prize Ring, with Border Tale worth considering for a place as well. Thoutmosis displayed plenty of stamina when holding on well from King's Crest at Carlisle on his last outing in November and has had a break since then. He returns to the fray on a five-pound higher mark but may still be ahead of the handicapper judged on his two latest winning efforts. Len Lungo's charge was heavily backed when gaining a facile success on his return to action at Kelso in October, and as he obviously goes well fresh, will take all the beating here if in the same mood. He is taken to successfully give weight and a beating to the rest including Fard Du Moulin Mas who is not certain to maintain course and distance form over Halland anyway on five-pound worse terms. Prize Ring has had just the one outing since August and should improve but needs to come down the weights a few pounds, while Border Tale has not impressed of late, but did finish 11th in the Triumph Hurdle last March. His stable continues in fine form and he might just reach the frame, but we return to Thoutmosis as the answer.

Formwatch

Friedhelmo (GER) 40-1 Always behind, last of 14, 44l behind Another Dude at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf.

Thoutmosis (USA) 5-2 Prominent, hampered and hit 2 out, led last, held on well towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) hvy in Nov beating King's Crest by 1/2l, 8 ran.

Pass Me By 25-1 Chased clear leader until 4th, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 13, 31l behind Spring Pursuit at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) hvy.

Bernardon (GER) 33-1 Chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit next, 6th of 10, 35l behind Dom d'Orgeval at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy in Jan.

October Mist (IRE) 40-1 Held up and behind, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 35l behind Kasthari at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan.

Prize Ring 8-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 18l behind Mr Midaz at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Dec.

Day du Roy (FR) 12-1 Held up, good headway to lead approaching 4th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 35l behind Fishki's Lad at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.

Hopbine 7-1 Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 7th, outpaced 3 out, 5th of 11, 25l behind Fishki's Lad at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.

Border Tale 22-1 Held up last, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 22l behind Broke Road at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft.

Archie Babe (IRE) 7-1 Tracked winner until weakened quickly 5th, 6th of 8, 23l behind Jaccout at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.

Fard du Moulin Mas (FR) 25-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Jan beating Halland by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.

Alchemystic (IRE) 25-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Welsh Dream at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd, 13 ran.

Halland 11-4fav Mid-division, ridden and some headway 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 12, 15l behind Krakow Baba at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs.

Red Man (IRE) 10-1 Chased leaders to 3 out, soon behind, 10th of 17, 9l behind Ipledgeallegiance at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Jan.

Sunridge Fairy (IRE) 20-1 Held up, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 18, 22l behind Ho Pang Yau at Wetherby 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Apr.