Verdict

GENERAL KUTUZOV is our pick to see off Le Commencement and Rif. Nick Gifford's charge does owe his long suffering followers a favour having bombed out at Lingfield in November. Connections have been patient and this opportunity appears ideal for getting back on the right track. Le Commencement finished fourth in a decent contest at Plumpton. That was no disgrace as he had to give away a winners penalty all around. Rif was reluctant to post on reappearance. He ran well for a long way and could be worth persevering with. Punjabi Army has the ability to win a race of this nature though has ran two stinkers this term. Gold Cup winning handler, Noel Chance desperately needs a winner this season and Fabulous Fred looks likely to be scoring sooner rather than later. Sonny Mullen landed some tasty bets on his latest outing and is likely to go well again. General Kutuzov is not without obvious negatives but he has the potential to be much better than his rivals.

Formwatch

Le Commencement (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Raced wide, led, strongly pressed 2 out, headed narrowly soon after, stayed chasing leaders until ridden, edged left and no extra flat, 4th of 9, 6l behind Quartano (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.

Sonny Mullen (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to chase leader approaching 4th, led before 2 out, edged left flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Son Histoire (10-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.

Alteranthela (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place 7th, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, well behind Quartano (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.

Devoran Quay (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place halfway, last of 15, well behind Volador (11-3) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.

Fabulous Fred (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Left tracking leaders from 6th, going well approaching 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well flat until headed near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Watamu Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

General Kutuzov (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 6th, chased leading pair next, headway on inside to join leaders before 2 out where every chance, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 8, 5l behind Stoney's Treasure (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.

Punjabi Army 6-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Restless Harry (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.

Quickdraw 200-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place before 7th, soon struggling, tailed off, 7th of 9, 40l behind Aldertune (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Rester Vrai (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Disputed lead to 5f out, remained well there until weakened 3f out, 7th of 8, 22l behind You're So Vain (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.

Rif (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Silver Kate (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.

Annie The Doc 9-1 (9-3) Prominent, 3rd from 4f out, no extra straight, 13th of 15, 37l behind Shinkansen (8-13) at Roscommon 1m 4f app hcp gs in Sep '08 (flat).