Verdict

HINTON THUNDERBOLT is our idea of the most likely winner with Roman Conquest and The Jazz Musician likely to have their supporters. The selection ran with a fair degree of credit behind Ernst Blofeld at Uttoxeter in December. A performance that was all the more credible as it had followed a sizeable absence beforehand. If the bounce effect does not occur, he has to be treated with plenty of respect. Roman Conquest has won previously on the surface and if gifted a soft lead, he could well make the others pay. The Jazz Musician was a useful novice hurdler. He did not find a great deal when tried here in November in a similar affair but this race does look to be weaker from a quality perspective. Emperor Concerto should be fit from two recent runs over hurdles whilst the others make very limited appeal indeed. Hinton Thunderbolt showed enough on reappearance to suggest he is worth following this term and we will be behind him on this occasion.

Formwatch

Emperor Concerto 10-3 (11-5) Led, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Sonowyouno (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.

English Jim (IRE) 10-3 (9-10) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Natural Action (12-0) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.

Hinton Thunderbolt 6-1 (11-0) Led, blundered 6 out, headed 4 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Ernst Blofeld (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.

Mister Pink 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along and head in air when lost place before 5th, behind from next, tailed off when mistake last, 11th of 14, well behind Bathwick Man (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.

Roman Conquest 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, hit 2 out, clear last, ran on, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Adroit Approach (11-6) by 7l, 11 ran.

The Jazz Musician (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Den of Iniquity (11-0) at Folkestone 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.

Walkingonsunshine 66-1 (10-12) Chased leader until approaching 9th, weakened rapidly, tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Quartano (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.