Verdict

COOLVALLA (NAP) has been a revelation since turning to fences, scoring twice here and also winning at Lingfield. He's up 11lb for his latest easy victory here but has to be the one to beat. Putdecashonthedash has failed to finish in two starts since scoring on good ground at Plumpton last January while Alminar, a winner on soft ground at Ffos Las in November, has run poorly in both subsequent starts. Premier D'troice is only 1lb higher than when scoring at Uttoxeter in the summer though that was on good ground while Echo Watt didn't enjoy heavy conditions at Lingfield last month.

Formwatch

Coolvalla (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Led, briefly headed 10th, one length clear 4 out, ridden and pressed for lead 3 out, two lengths clear 2 out, good jump last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Jeffery's Cross (12-2) by 19l, 9 ran.

Premier D'troice (FR) 7-1 (12-2) Off the pace in 6th, pecked and lost place 5th, hit next, last pair, stayed on from approaching 3 out, 4th when hit 2 out, went modest 3rd approaching the last, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Some Detail (11-9) at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Dec.

Putdecashonthedash (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Close up, led 4th, headed 5th, prominent when fell 9th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Alminar (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden 8th, dropped to last and ridden 13th, pulled up approaching 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Echo Watt (FR) 4-1 (12-2) In touch in mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 4 out, weakening when hampered 3 out, 4th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Galtee Mountain (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 6f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.