Verdict

Moabit was an easy winner over 1m6f at Salisbury but has a penalty to carry, though Megan Nicholls' claims takes care of most of that. Buonarroti also has 6lb extra following a smooth victory over 1m7f at Ayr but he also has an apprentice on board. Piedita has made the anticipated progress since stepping up to 2m and can't be left out of calculations while Perfect Summer has been showing signs of a revival. NORDIC COMBINED goes really well here and should have won again last time. The longer distance shouldn't be a problem for the bottom weight, who can restore his reputation.

Formwatch

River Icon 16-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 7 1/4l behind October Storm (8-6) at York 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.

Moabit (GER) 9-5fav (8-10) Took keen hold in rear, headway to lead 8f out, 6 lengths clear over 6f out, hung left from over 1f out, comfortable, won at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Champagne Champ (9-7) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.

Buonarroti (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway going well over 2f out, led well over 1f out, nudged clear inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Ayr 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Oct beating Hurricane Hollow (9-5) by 2l, 10 ran.

Perfect Summer (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Dominating (8-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.

Piedita (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) In touch, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Mister Bob (9-13) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (5) pol in Aug.

Attention Seaker 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 20 3/4l behind Blue Hussar (9-10) at York 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep.

Zenafire 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 19 3/4l behind Blue Hussar (9-10) at York 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep.

Nordic Combined (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Behind, outpaced over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon pricked ears and headed when idled towards finish, kept on, unseated rider after winning line, 2nd of 7, shd behind Uber Cool (8-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Sep.