Verdict

True Thoughts underwent wind surgery after disappointing at Uttoxeter and is worth a market check. Wye Aye has been getting closer and should handle the going but Kestrel Valley was pulled up at Ffos Las after recording a first career victory on heavy ground at Lingfield. Dr Oakley has managed just one place in four previous visits here but fellow maiden Ninth Wave is a consistent sort who seems to get on well with Guy Disney. MILANSTORM won his bumper on heavy going. He was crowded out last time at Warwick and should enjoy this return to a longer trip and the drop in grade.

Formwatch

Milanstorm (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, closed 4th, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on flat, 5th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Megalodon (10-9) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Fenrir Binding 100-1 (11-6) In touch in chasing group, under pressure after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 29 1/2l behind Northofthewall (11-6) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) hvy in Dec.

Ninth Wave (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Shimba Hills (10-1) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.

Espressino 33-1 (10-13) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd bypassing 6th, chased leaders, ridden after bypassing 4 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 11, dist behind Endless Flight (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.

Jessie Lightfoot (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Towards rear, well beaten from 7th, remote 7th 3 out, 7th of 15, dist behind Kalooki (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.

Kestrel Valley 10-1 (11-1) Held up, soon behind, ridden after 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 9th, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.

Khanisari (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, lost place after 2nd, struggling when blundered 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Wye Aye 11-1 (10-9) In rear, mistake and hampered 2nd, not fluent when not much room 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Imperial Elysian (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Dr Oakley (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) In rear, mistake and unseated rider 3rd, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Beau Haze 18-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, no chance from 5th, 6th of 12, dist behind Main Fact (12-0) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

True Thoughts (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, pushed along on long run to last, soon struggling, went poor 4th last, 4th of 8, dist behind Out On The Tear (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.

Zorlu (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 4th, headed before 6th, led again approaching 4 out, headed when blundered next, soon weakend, 13th of 16, dist behind Silver Quay (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan.