Verdict

Alcopop gets the vote here ahead of Bannister Lane and Jack Martin. This is the first time that Alcopop will have encountered going like this since winning on soft at Ludlow a year ago. Despite being rated 10 pounds higher today, he ran pretty well off today's mark last time and can go well again today. Bannister Lane rates a big danger, though, despite being nine pounds higher for an emphatic course and distance win last time, his first real piece of form. Lord Brock has already won here but his last two runs have lacked something; that said, you cannot rule him out, while Jack Martin would hold claims if getting back to his form of a year ago. French import Lulumar has not shown much in three British starts, while Onyourheadbeit looked promising last spring but you'll have to forgive him his last couple of runs if supporting him today. Finally, Lost In Normandy goes well in these conditions but probably needs to find a little bit more than he has so far shown in order to feature. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Alcopop.

Formwatch

Lord Brock 4-1co-fav (11-12) Behind from 3rd, mistake and reminders 4th, no chance when hit 13th, 4th of 6, 32l behind Bannister Lane (10-3) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.

Jack Martin (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mistake 1st, held up when fell at the 9th in race won by Cruising River (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 11 ran.

Lulumar (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 15th, blundered next, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Dunbrody Millar (9-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.

Alcopop 9-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Windsor Boy (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.

Bannister Lane 4-1co-fav (10-3) Led to 2nd, led again 5th, pushed clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb beating Simon (11-6) by 14l, 6 ran.

Onyourheadbeit (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Close up, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Olney Lad (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.

Lost In Normandy (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Held up, headway 13th, ridden 16th, weakened 4 out, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Calvic (11-8) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb, 11 ran.