Verdict

Weight has been known to stop trains but we don't expect it to stop MAHONIA from recording another career success. Long Hop is the one for the forecast with Valleyofthedolls a likely challenger for third. Mahonia may have been put in his place by Karabak and may have failed to run his race at Haydock in a contest where a few of the principals failed to handle the ground but he should be able to get back on track here. Valleyofthedolls showed ability in bumpers and is partnered by stable jockey Robert Thornton for her hurdling bow but it may not pay to read too much into that. Gerard Tumelty has been aboard Long Hop for two of his three starts and he showed enough at Fontwell on his hurdling bow to believe that he should be vying for minor honours although his best form to date came in an Aintree bumper on his second start on faster ground than he'll get here. Neither Galaxy Rock nor Winchester Red have shown a great deal but are lightly raced so all is not lost but they won't be a match for Mahonia.

Formwatch

Mahonia (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Led to 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 22l behind Alfie Flits (11-11) at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.

Galaxy Rock (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, no further impression, 6th of 15, 24l behind Aqualung (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Winchester Red 17-2 (11-4) Led, jumped left 3rd, not fluent next, jumped left 5th, headed just after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 23l behind Kilvergan Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.

Valleyofthedolls 7-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 8f out, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 16, 7l behind King of Leon (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Dec.

Long Hop (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, went modest 4th after last, never a danger, 4th of 15, 18l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.