Verdict

Adicci beat a subsequent easy winner when making a successful start to his hurdling career at Plumpton. There should be plenty more to come and he’s entitled to go close again under his penalty. Book Of Invasions has less obvious claims under his penalty but Namib Dancer deserves a change of luck and Llandinabo Lad had decent form in bumpers. Stimulating Song has been quite highly tried but the interesting one may be ALLART, who was strongly fancied against decent opposition at Ascot in November but charged at the first and didn’t take off – he will have had plenty of schooling since.

Formwatch

Adicci (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Keen in touch, chased leaders 4 out, every chance after 2 out, led after last, kept on well under pressure, won at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Neff (11-5) by nk, 9 ran.

Allart (IRE) 13-8 (10-12) Took strong hold, 2nd when fell 1st, at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov.

Black Gerry (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Keen early, pressed winner to before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 13, 33l behind Fiddlerontheroof (10-12) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Dec.

Eau Top (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, progress on inside 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 11 1/2l behind Normandy Soldier (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.

Llandinabo Lad Evensfav (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, unable to trouble winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Chazza (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) hvy in Nov.

Present Endeavour (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 8th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Faire Part Sivola (10-12) at Leicester 2m (3) hvy in Dec.

Stimulating Song 16-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, chased leaders, mistake 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon hung left, weakened before last, 6th of 17, 8 1/4l behind Mister Coffey (11-5) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.

Tricky Customer (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, challenged 4th, lost place after 7th, well behind before normal 3 out, pulled up after, at Leicester 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.

Prussia With Love 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Millers Bank (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.

It Can Be Done (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Steadied start, always behind, 11th of 13, dist behind Fantastic Ms Fox (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn fll (4) gs in Dec.

Book Of Invasions (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out until before next where weakened, 9th of 13, 26 1/4l behind Golden Taipan (11-8) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.

Namib Dancer (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 3 out, chased leaders before next, every chance last, kept on run-in but not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Golden Taipan (11-8) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.