Verdict

Nothing stands out in this big field and the most tentative of nominations goes to handicap debutant LENNOX GARDENS ahead of Naughty By Nature and Wise Men Say. An opening mark of 105 looks fair enough for Carl Llewellyn's gelding after a better performance behind Our Bomber Harris at the track last time. That form looks pretty solid and the winner is now rated in the mid 120's; a big run could be on the cards today. Sovereign Spirit has winning course form but recent runs have suggested that the handicapper may now have him in his grip. Ballyveeney represents a stable in good form and this unexposed gelding will be hoping to make amends for falling last time at Folkestone when he was made favourite for his handicap bow. Wise Men Say was a winner at Wincanton back in November over two miles but then disappointed up in trip at the same track in December; he needs to improve for this intermediate distance. March Court is a course winner but recent performances have not been anything to write home about, so a bigger danger could be Gunnadoit. Neil King's gelding is lurking near the bottom of the weights and along with Gary Moore's Valentia Island is rated as a danger. Blinkers may sharpen up Madness but punters will need to have deep pockets in their baggy trousers if they are to keep the faith, and so we will return to Lennox Gardens as the winner.

Formwatch

Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 16, 19l behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.

Lennox Gardens 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Our Bomber Harris (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Ballyveeney (IRE) 10-3jt-fav (11-9) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, challenged next, led before last, headed when fell at the last in race won by Midnight Chase (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.

Freddy's Star (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 5th of 10, 33l behind Darstardly Dick (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Super Ross (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Mid-division, close up 5th, ridden after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven and headed approaching last and soon one pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Longdale (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.

Naughty By Nature 7-2 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4 out until fell 3 out in race won by Gold Reef (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 18 ran.

Valentia Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 33l behind Apollo Creed (11-6) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.

Pomander (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Led, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened into 5th when blundered badly last, 6th of 14, 12l behind Ruby Crown (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (4) gs.

Madness (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 5th, hit next, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 49l behind Teddy's Reflection (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Marsh Court 28-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 40l behind Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Wise Men Say (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 31l behind Hearty Dove (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.

Henchman 66-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, hit 5th, hampered on bend after 5th, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Chariot Charger (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.

Lupita (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden 6th and chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 17, well behind Deep Pockets (11-7) at Exeter 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.

Gunnadoit (USA) 2-1 (9-9) Always behind, 6th of 7, well behind Snake Charmer (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.

Bukhara (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 16 ran.

Exclusionist 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, plugging on at one pace but no chance when ridden after 2 out, 5th of 15, 44l behind Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.