Verdict

The day's feature race can go the way of Stormy Skye ahead of the likes of Rosetown, Ebony Jack, Hazeljack, Pietro Vannucci and Ede'iff. This could develop into a closely-fought contest and only a narrow vote goes to Stormy Skye who, like quite a few of these, has been pretty consistent of late. Gary Moore's 10-year-old was successful off a mark of 106 in 2003, and must surely pay to follow based on recent efforts including a five-length second to Presenting Express off level weights at Folkestone in January. The latter went on to trounce a good field at Newbury last weekend so the form appears solid. Stormy Skye subsequently finished a tired third behind Happy Shopper in heavy ground at Lingfield last month, but will be fancied to bounce back on today's less testing going. Rosetown has a light weight and remains much better treated than over hurdles, so has to be a danger, while Ebony Jack and Hazeljack are closely matched on running here in February. The latter came out on top then but Hazeljack will strip fitter for what was his first outing in two months. Ex-Irish Pietro Vannucci is looking for his first win on these shores, but shapes like an out-and-out stayer and is opposable off topweight, while Ede'iff may well have been placed at least had he not capsized at Ludlow last time and he may prove troublesome. In a hard one to call, Stormy Skye is the selection.

Formwatch

Pietro Vannucci (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden 10th, lost place and mistake 3 out, took moderate 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 15l behind The Outlier (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.

Ede'iff 9-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, in touch but ridden when fell 4 out in race won by Fin Bec (10-9) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jan, 8 ran.

Bubble Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake 10th, ridden to chase leading trio before 3 out, went 3rd soon after last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Ebony Jack (9-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.

Stormy Skye (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Disputed lead until tracked winner from 3rd, lost 2nd 4 out, driven and stayed on same pace from next, no impression and wandered under pressure flat, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Happy Shopper (10-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.

Auburn Spirit 11-2 (10-4) Led to 6th, with leader to 15th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Blunham Hill (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.

Hazeljack 10-1 (10-5) Chased winner to approaching 3 out, went 2nd again 2 out, no real impression, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Ebony Jack (9-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.

Ebony Jack (IRE) 3-1fav (9-12) Led 4th to 9th, stayed chasing leaders, jumped left and reminder 13th, left chasing leading pair 14th, no chance with front pair from 3 out, lost poor 3rd flat, 4th of 8, 17l behind Tallow Bay (9-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-115.

Pardini (USA) 16-1 (10-0) Soon behind, mistake 10th, no chance when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Naunton Brook (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb, 9 ran.

Rosetown (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, chased leading pair to 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 7l behind Joseph Beuys (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.