Verdict

Urcalin has fallen three times in his last eight starts and didn't get very far over fences at Doncaster last time. Mr Shantu has some reasonable form but not on ground as testing as this. Bell Weir has been competing at a much higher level and, though looking a few pounds high, his jockey's claim is a bonus and he should go close. Cultram Abbey landed a Carlisle handicap before finishing in mid-division when sent for a better race at Cheltenham while One For Arthur makes his handicap debut having shown potential in maidens over this trip. If CHICORIA handles the conditions he can take this for Henry Daly. A novice winner at Aintree in October, he made a few mistakes when just touched off by Ewings at Ludlow last month but makes his handicap debut from what could prove to be a fair mark.

Formwatch

Bell Weir 14-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd last, weakened run-in, 5th of 12, 9l behind Dawalan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs.

Chicoria (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Led, jumped left 3rd, not fluent 6th, not fluent and headed next, led again 8th, ridden and headed before 3 out, hit 2 out, every chance last, stayed on, always just held flat, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Ewings (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.

Mr Shantu (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) In touch, headway before 4 out, pushed along before 3 out to go 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Knight In Purple (10-10) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft.

Padre Tito (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 3rd until 3 out, chased leaders, pushed along when took false step and weakened before 2 out, behind when went left 2 out, soon eased, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Tara Road (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.

Cultram Abbey 12-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten before 2 out, 10th of 20, 32l behind Unique De Cotte (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.

Urcalin (FR) 8-1 (11-2) In rear, fell 4th, in a race won by Saints And Sinners (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov, 8 ran.

Theunnamedsoldier 66-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, mistake 1st, held up towards rear, struggling when mistake 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 30l behind Value At Risk (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.

One For Arthur (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Held up in rear and keen, soon tracked leaders, went 3rd from 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Red Tortue (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

Hainan (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Officer Drivel (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.