Verdict

Kudu Country had some decent form over hurdles last season but reappears after a break. Slew Charm had every chance behind Alph at Lingfield last time and races off a higher mark here, while Beau Fighter couldn't take advantage of a good opportunity in novice company at Plumpton last month. The lightly-raced Dream Esteem could be interesting and Dark Energy earns full marks for consistency but KINGS TROOP could be a blot on the handicap if reproducing this summer's form on the Flat. Twice a winner over 1m4f at Epsom in 2010, if he's to get home over hurdles it will be at a track like Huntingdon.

Formwatch

Kudu Country (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent 4th, not fluent and headed next, hampered on inside after 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 12, 45l behind Sure Josie Sure (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.

Simply Blue 50-1 (10-6) Tracked leader until 5th, remained in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 13, 23l behind Aegean Dawn (9-9) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.

Beau Fighter 5-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, hampered 3rd, led and hit 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, kept on, caught post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Union Island (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.

Indian Spring (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Always in rear, ridden after 4 out, soon no extra, weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Wikaala (11-12) at Tramore 2m hdl fm in Aug.

Dream Esteem 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 13th of 18, 22l behind Menorah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.

Karky Schultz (GER) 9-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, chased winner after 4th, ridden and every chance 3 out, jumped left next, weakened before last, 6th of 7, 15l behind Spear Thistle (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.

Slew Charm (FR) 10-3fav (11-6) Raced on inside, tracked leading trio, hit 3 out, went 2nd and not fluent 2 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd approaching and hit last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Alph (11-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.

I'm In The Pink (FR) 100-1 (10-13) Prominent, hit 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Rebel Du Maquis (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Nov.

Ruthenoise (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, took keen hold, headway to chase winner 3rd until after 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Princess Rainbow (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 8 ran.

Super Directa (GER) 12-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Stage Acclaim (10-4) at Lingfield 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '09.

Dark Energy 10-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 6th, ridden before 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind If I Had Him (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov.

Dinarius 40-1 (10-3) Led into start, held up in rear, headway 5th, lost place next, progess approaching 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon drifted left, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr.

Call It On (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leader, jumped right 1st, lost 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, regained 2nd last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Alarazi (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

Kings Troop 8-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden and hit 3 out, effort next, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Posh Emily (10-7) at Sandown 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.