Verdict

This may be too short for Event Of Sivola, who ground out a win over 4m here three weeks ago. He was struggling when unseating his rider over track and trip the time before but Onestepatatime was chasing the leaders when falling two out in that race and Kildrum finished third. CUDGEL is just 1-16 over fences but that victory came here when he easily outpointed Hidden Cargo. He clearly needed a pipe-opener over hurdles here last month. Sir Apollo came good at Sedgefield a couple of weeks ago and Myburg should be winning sooner rather than later.

Formwatch

Ferocious (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Close up, dropped to rear before 11th, ridden 5 out, detached before 4 out, no extra thereafter, 6th of 8, dist behind Hold Onto The Line (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.

Event Of Sivola (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Jumped well, made all, nudged along to extend lead 3 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Hexham 4m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Dee Star (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.

Sir Apollo (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Made all, jumped well but right at times, ridden after 2 out, soon in command, kept on, readily, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Espoir Moriviere (10-2) by 3l, 8 ran.

Onestepatatime (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) In rear, in touch, ridden after 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, plugged on, never threatened, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Sir Apollo (10-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Myburg (IRE) 7-4fav (10-7) In touch with leaders, ridden along before 3 out, went second approaching final fence, kept on well run-in but no match for winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Dash Of Blue (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Cudgel 16-1 (11-0) Off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 13, 26 1/4l behind Fenland Tiger (11-10) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Atomic Angel 10-3fav (11-0) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 16, 27 3/4l behind Lewa House (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Kildrum (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along in 3rd home turn, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 13 1/2l behind Return Fire (12-2) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.

New Zealander 16-1 (10-2) Led until 1st, led 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 10, 25 1/4l behind Hoganville (12-2) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) gs in Oct.

Hidden Cargo (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Rear of midfield, driven 5 out, pulled up approaching 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.