Verdict

With inevitable heavy ground to contend with once again round here, this will probably ride more like a three mile hurdle, which certainly brings Deputy Dan into the picture as he arrives on the back of placed efforts behind leading three mile hurdler Thistlecrack. He'll be sticking on when some have cried enough and is shortlisted, as is San Benedeto, a heavy ground winner over this trip whose chance will benefit from Harry Cobden's 7lb claim. Roadie Joe would be a popular Welsh winner and although facing a tough task on his first handicap contest against more seasoned campaigners, he does step down from Grade 1 company after compiling a winning sequence in novice hurdles. Nicky Richards is double-handed with TOP BILLING making plenty of appeal. He's a progressive and consistent sort, stays further than this, handles heavy ground and Ryan Day eases his burden by 5lb.

Formwatch

Silsol (GER) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in touch in last pair, ridden after 12th, outpaced 14th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 5, 32 3/4l behind Black Hercules (11-4) at Warwick 3m lst (1) hvy in Jan.

Deputy Dan (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held upin last pair, jumped slowly 7th, pushed along and headway before 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd and went right last, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Thistlecrack (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.

San Benedeto (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, soon poised to challenge, upsides next, ridden before last, kept on same pace, held final 110 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind One Track Mind (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Gevrey Chambertin (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5th, ridden after 7th, lost place before 3 out, well held after, last of 9, 15 1/2l behind Awaywiththegreys (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.

Foxcub (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inside, lost place when not fluent 7th, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Tornado In Milan (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.

One For Harry (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway before 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Waterclock (10-10) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.

Top Billing 7-1 (11-9) Led, headed after 3 out, led again after next, headed before last, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Zeroeshadesofgrey (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Roadie Joe (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, not fluent last, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 10l behind Label Des Obeaux (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.

Racing Pulse (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 4th, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Subtle Grey (11-1) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.

Kayf Moss 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, jumped right at times, ridden 7th, lost place before 3 out, 7th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Awaywiththegreys (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.

Sirop De Menthe (FR) 13-2 (10-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, edged left and no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Rayvin Black (10-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.

Goodbye Dancer (FR) 9-1 (11-5) In rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Baywing (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.