Verdict

A few of these are in the veteran stage but not WINGED CRUSADER. He’s had his problems over fences but everything fell into place last time at Bangor and he should be able to build on that here, despite a 10lb hike in the weights. Rock On Rocky’s second at Uttoxeter was boosted when the winner went in again at Wetherby. Master Jake should find a race if he continues to slip down the ratings and Renard is fairly treated on his seasonal reappearance. Allow Dallow is usually thereabouts and is probably the pick of the remainder.

Formwatch

Master Jake (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Keen, in touch, headway 10th, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Vinnie Red (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, to 5 out, outpaced next, 4th of 5, 22 1/4l behind Somchine (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Renard (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Led, headed after 5 out, soon ridden and lost place, outpaced in 4th next, rallied 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Bears Rails (11-1) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Mar.

Winged Crusader (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Led 1st, made rest, left clear from 9th, unchallenged after, canter, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Alberto's Dream (11-12) by 33l, 5 ran.

Allow Dallow (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led until 1st, in lead 3rd, headed after 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Dream Bolt (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.

Rock On Rocky 3-1 (11-9) Ridden away from start, in rear, not fluent 5th, outpaced and no impression 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, left 3rd last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Special Wells (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.

Pret A Thou (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden after 7th, lost place after next, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Special Wells (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.

Free World (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, left in lead 2nd, headed before omitted 2 out, led again last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Lake Chapala (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.