Verdict

Just So Cool won this two years ago and was on the heels of the leaders when brought down on his reappearance at Exeter. El Kaldoun ran his best race so far when runner-up at Doncaster and Joe Anderson takes off 10lb. Luca Morgan is starting to make a name for himself and gets the leg-up on last year’s Southwell winner Raise Your Shades while Dalaman has dropped to a fair mark. SEA STORY is 0-6 over hurdles but his overall form suggests he’s the one to beat in this at the weights, though the four-year-old Moonlit Sea might be improving.

Formwatch

El Kaldoun (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Slight lead until 5th, with winner, led again narrowly 4 out until next, chased winner, chance 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Methag (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.

Ratoute Yutty 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led before 6th, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Runasimi River (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Just So Cool (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) In touch when brought down 3 out, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.

Shah An Shah 80-1 (10-12) Raced keenly tracking leaders on inside, outpaced before 3 out, no chance with 1st 3, 4th of 9, 14l behind Baron De Midleton (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.

Bitasweetsymphony (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Raced wide in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 37l behind Cheddleton (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.

Dalaman (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Chased leaders under pressure before omitted 3 out, soon beaten, completely tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Air Horse One (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.

Sea Story 10-3 (11-2) Tracked leader, pushed along before 2 out, in 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind The Crooner (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.

Our Rockstar (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Always behind, never a factor, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Fair Kate (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Arcadian Sea (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Keen close up, blundered 2nd, led approaching next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Methag (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.

Raise Your Shades (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, weakened 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Searching (12-5) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Oct.

Moonlit Sea 11-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, hit 5th, headway chasing leaders 3 out, led and hit last, ridden and stayed on run-in, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Clondaw Robin (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.

Bowie (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, closed after 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Pride Of Lecale (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.

Timetobenefit (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway tracking leaders 4 out, 2nd briefly before 2 out where every chance, driven and one pace in 3rd between last 2, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Strong Resemblance (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Battlebrave (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up behind, slipped and fell on bend after 5th, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.

Go To Court (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 4 out, 7th of 12, dist behind Bells Of Peterboro (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Dec.