Verdict

Previous course and distance winners Fastar and CALDER PRINCE can fight out the finish of this handicap. The former is on a hat-trick and still heading in the right direction but a further 7lb rise is a worry. The latter could find a little improvement in first-time cheekpieces and is back in the right grade so gets the nod. Lord Of The Rock looks held on the form book but Starlight Romance should give a good account and makes more appeal than Kempton third Sultan Baybars.

Formwatch

Lord Of The Rock (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, dist behind Century Dream (9-7) at Haydock 1m hcp (2) hvy in Sep.

Calder Prince (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led to 6f out, chased leader, ridden and faded inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Century Dream (9-7) at Haydock 1m hcp (2) hvy in Sep.

Fastar (IRE) 9-2cfav (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Haydock 1m hcp (3) hvy in Sep beating Silvery Moon (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.

Starlight Romance (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Mojito (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.

Sultan Baybars 25-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, headway towards inside over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Brigliadoro (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Oct.