Verdict

TWILIGHT EAGLE, Enroblim Trop and Laudamus make most appeal in this handicap chase and we will nominate Twilight Eagle. The selection is a lightly-raced type and he wasn't beaten far last time behind Zacharova. There should be more to come and with the ground very much in his favour he rates as the one to beat. Enroblim Trop will go on the ground and he should be suited by this slight drop in trip, but he is far from consistent and on that basis we are happy to swerve him today. Laudamus ran a sound race in fourth behind Supreme Keano at Chepstow last time and he is proven on the ground. That represents quite solid form and he is relatively unexposed over birch so he should go well. River Indus has got course and distance winning form, he wasn't beaten far last time and he will handle this testing ground. He has to be of interest, while Kildonnan is another who will relish the conditions. There are plenty in with chances and the vote is given to Twilight Eagle.

Formwatch

Twilight Eagle (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) In touch, hampered 13th, chased winner approaching 2 out, hard ridden and hung right between last 2, not fluent last, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Zacharova (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.

Kildonnan 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Tricky Trickster (11-5) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec.

Double Intruder (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, hit 8th, headway 14th, mistake next and 16th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Deep Quest (10-11) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 14 ran.

Present M'lord (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led, headed 2nd, hit 4th, ridden 10th, weakened 13th, 8th of 18, 28l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.

River Indus 13-2 (10-5) Led to 5th, remained prominent, left in lead 14th, headed 17th, weakened 3 out, lost moderate 3rd towards finish, 4th of 8, 27l behind Go For One (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.

Enroblim Trop (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) In touch, headway to lead 3 out, jumped left 2 out, went left, headed last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Maori Legend (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.

Laudamus 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 5 out, one pace, 4th of 18, 12l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.

Heart Springs 33-1 (10-10) Towards rear, hit 9th and lost place, soon behind, 5th of 12, well behind Alcatras (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.

Wild Ground (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, pushed along after 12th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Surface To Air (11-7) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May, 12 ran.

Boytjie (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, hit 9th, struggling 13th, rallied 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, left close 2nd last, hard ridden flat, kept on to lead close home, won at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct '07 beating Coeur d'Alene (11-2) by a nk, 7 ran.