Verdict

A very tricky handicap to end the card and a narrow vote is given to Norton Sapphire, Pyleigh Lady and Come Out Firing look the best alternatives. With these very heavy condition you need a horse that stays a bit further than today's trip and Norton Sapphire has certainly proven his stamina. He ran an excellent third behind Rocky's Girl at Taunton last time out on soft ground, with Pyleigh Lady in second spot. The heavy ground will suit our selection and he is expected to reverse the form with that rival on today's terms. Come Out Firing steps up to a more suitable trip today and has every chance of reaching the frame at a decent price. Georges Boy has shown plenty of ability and looks the best of the rest, however with ground and trip in his favour today Norton Sapphire just gets the verdict.

Formwatch

Pyleigh Lady 3-1 (11-0) Held up, progress 8th, led 2 out, headed final 100 yards, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Rockys Girl (9-7) at Taunton 3m amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.

Dinnie Flanagan (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 15, 21l behind Knighton Lad (11-9) at Newbury 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.

Meneur De Jeu (FR) 5-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.

Keswick (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 7th, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened 9th, behind 4 out, soon pulled up pulled up 3 out in race won by Mister Quasimodo (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.

Come Out Firing (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Prominent, mistake, lost touch 5th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Kick And Prance (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.

Count Boris 7-2 (11-4) Narrow lead, mistake 4th, headed 5th, led next, headed 8th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 21l behind Brendar (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.

Norton Sapphire 7-4fav (10-10) In touch, led 7th until 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Rockys Girl (9-7) at Taunton 3m amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.

Georges Boy (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Led until 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd and beaten when fell at the last in race won by Isle de Maurice (11-10) at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.

Alfa Sunrise 14-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 10l behind Ikemba (9-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.

Declans Choice (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Mid-division, slow jump 8th, weakened next, behind when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Gunship (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 16 ran.

Happy Hussar (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Behind, well adrift 6th, stayed on from 2 out, not reached leaders, 6th of 18, 8l behind Tanzanite Dawn (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) hvy in Jan.

Temper Lad (USA) 28-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 14th of 18, 36l behind Parkinson (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.

Ruling Reef 16-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, nearest finish, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Tanzanite Dawn (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) hvy in Jan.

Kofi 8-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Indigo Sky (9-13) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) sft in Dec.

Arctic Glow 20-1 (10-7) 6th of 8, well behind Dragon's Dream (11-0) at Kingston St Mary 3m ptp gd in Mar.