Verdict

Conditions may not be ideal for Balhambar or Uttoxeter fourth Come To Pass but Royal Thunder is worth a second look and Gary Moore runs two including Ballybay, who started favourite for a Punchestown bumper on his only run for Willie Mullins. TARAS HALLS was too keen at Wetherby and fell at the third but did win a bumper here last season on good to soft so is probably worth another chance in a weak contest.

Formwatch

Balhambar (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, no progress, 7th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Aqwaam (10-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) pol in Nov.

Ballybay (IRE) 15-8fav (12-0) Prominent and disputed lead, headed over 5f out, 2nd and pushed along entering straight, soon lost place and 6th over 1f out, no extra, 7th of 23, 23 1/4l behind Path D'oroux (12-0) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.

Come To Pass (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) In rear, went 4th before home turn, pushed along 2 out and no further progress, 4th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Booster Bob (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) hvy in Nov.

Crac De Megaudais (FR) 250-1 (11-0) Behind, towards rear and wide turning in, never involved, 9th of 14, 23 3/4l behind El Saviour (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.

Kotari (FR) 18-5 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 5th, went 2nd after next, not fluent 3 out and soon outpaced by leader, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Classic Lord (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) hvy in Nov.

Lunar Ocean (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, losing place when bad mistake 3 out, behind when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.

Royal Thunder 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4 out, at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Nov.

Samazul 12-1 (11-0) Off the pace and always towards rear, 8th of 13, dist behind Gidleigh Park (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.

Taras Halls (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, fell 3rd, at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Nov.