Verdict

A tricky opener but recent Exeter winner Karakoram is almost guaranteed to run his race again. However, he has almost seven lengths to find with MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE on earlier Taunton running and is only a pound better off so Nigel Twiston-Davies’ improver looks the one to be on. Stratton Oakmont is 0-12 but has placed three times over timber while a win at Leicester will have boosted the confidence of Colonial Empire. Walkinthewoods was second at Hereford after winning at Chepstow and isn’t out of this either.

Formwatch

Pachacuti (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear on inside, steady headway after 4 out, travelling well in 4th before next where went left, went 2nd next, switched right and no impression between last two, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Kingofthewest (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.

Moveit Like Minnie (IRE) 5-2fav (12-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, 4th 2 out, closed last, led and edged left flat, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Callisto's King (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.

Fine Investment 6-4fav (12-0) (h) (tt) prom to 11; wknd qckly 3 out; pu nxt, at Chilfrome 2m 4f mdn gf in Apr.

Colonial Empire 7-5 (11-7) Led early, led 1st, headed after next, led 3 out, headed 2 out, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Esme Shelby (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.

Walkinthewoods (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Mid-division towards outside, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went 2nd from final bend, not fluent last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Zestful Hope (12-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Ardenay (FR) 250-1 (11-0) Held up in midfield, headway under pressure after 3 out, stayed on same pace, never a factor, 10th of 17, 21 1/2l behind Always Busy (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.

Bucks Dream (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, went 4th before last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 14, 14 3/4l behind No Worries (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.

Karakoram 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and led before 2 out, ridden after last and asserted flat, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Isle Of Aron (11-7) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.

Mind Hunter 11-2 (11-6) Chased leading pair until weakened quickly 4 out, soon behind, 5th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Bridge Road (12-0) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.

Stratton Oakmont (IRE) 11-2 (12-1) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway to challenge bypassing omitted 3 out, led before omitted 2 out, headed before omitted last, no extra final 100 yards, 6th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Okavango Delta (12-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.