Verdict

Stratton Oakmont has picked up where he left off under Rules and will be 3lb higher from next week. Lelant will be 5lb higher, however, after a much-improved second at Taunton. Bertie Wooster and SAM’S AMOUR have been getting closer and both were beaten favourites last time. The latter may be the pick of the weights in this as Brook Bay was well beaten off today’s mark on his handicap debut.

Formwatch

Brook Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Raced keenly towards rear, hampered 2 out, some headway on inside before the last where awkward and no impression, 8th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Impose Toi (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Bertie Wooster (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd turning in, 2 lengths down last, strong challenge near finish, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Mactavish (10-10) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Nov.

Stratton Oakmont (IRE) 5-4jfav (11-2) Raced in last, mistake 4th, headway on inside 9th, challenged 4 out, led after 3 out, not fluent and went right 2 out, went right last, stayed on, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Mountain Leopard (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 0 ran.

Lelant (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Held up in last pair, good headway out wide chasing leaders before 2 out, went 2nd at the last, ridden hung right and and stayed on strongly run-in, going on close home, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Noble Savage (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.

Sam's Amour 10-11fav (12-0) Prominent, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Miss Fedora (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.