Verdict

Aniknam arrives on the back of a wide-margin success over timber at Sedgefield and can race off the same mark on his belated debut over the larger obstacles. But he was beaten over hurdles by CUDGEL back in December and the latter has placed over fences the last twice now. James Walton’s charge looks to have an easier task than he did behind Ballybreen at Carlisle last time and gets the vote. The remaining trio are harder to recommend though Tommy The Rascal has placed over fences on several occasions and may prove best of the rest.

Formwatch

Cudgel 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 3rd flat, plugged on, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Ballybreen (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.

Aniknam (FR) 2-1fav (10-9) Made all, clear 6th, hit 8th, unchallenged, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating King Gypsy (11-2) by 37l, 9 ran.

Classical Sound (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Mid-division on outside, headway 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 12, dist behind Kalaharry (11-9) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Tommy The Rascal 12-1 (10-0) Led, ridden after 11th, headed 13th, led 4 out, headed 3 out, not fluent and beaten 2 out, mistake last, 8th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Robyndzone (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Phantom Isle 12-1 (10-6) Off the pace towards rear, outpaced before 6th, disputing well held 5th and no chance when blundered last, tailed off, 6th of 10, 18l behind Bertie Blake (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.