Verdict

The shortlist contains Vicars Destiny, Supreme Piper and, possibly, Times Barney, with the vote going to Supreme Piper. Vicars Destiny is on a winning mark now and ran pretty well behind an unexposed type in Day Of Claies last time and is not ruled out of things. Supreme Piper came back to form last time and, well-handicapped based on his 2004 win, holds claims if repeating that effort. Bunkum is another to be well-weighted based on 2003 form, and Nevada Red should have some improvement in him but is only fairly weighted at best on what he has so far achieved. Icare d'Oudairies seems to have had his problems in the last couple of years and has been lightly campaigned, while Caesar's Palace, who was rated a lot higher in 2004, is still capable of a good effort from his current mark. Times Barney showed his first piece of meaningful form when staying on here last time and could have better to come, while Cill Churnain has not won for over two years now and others are preferred today, and Lord Lupin has something to prove from out of the weights. Overall, then, the vote goes to Supreme Piper.

Formwatch

Cill Churnain (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 26l behind Day Of Claies (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.

Vicars Destiny 5-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, chased leading pair from next, no impression, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Day Of Claies (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.

Supreme Piper (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Made most, hit 2nd, headed approaching 7th, stayed pressing leader, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with winner, driven and hit last, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Wee Anthony (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in.

Bunkum 8-1 (11-2) Prominent until ridden and weakened 5th, 5th of 10, 49l behind Kilty Storm (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.

Nevada Red 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 8th, went 3rd when mistake 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 16, well behind Laertes (11-2) at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.

Icare d'Oudairies (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent to 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Arm And A Leg (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov, 10 ran.

Caesar's Palace (GER) 16-1 (10-7) Prominent, lost place after 3rd, soon struggling and well behind, 12th of 15, well behind Fair Question (11-1) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.

Times Up Barney 100-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed after 4 out, ridden and soon outpaced, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.