Verdict

Getting weight from the three previous winners, connections of a few of these will fancy their chances of causing an upset. They include Worcester bumper winner Twirling Magnet and Perfect Shot, successful on the Flat at Newmarket in the spring. SKINT created a favourable impression when beating The Reformer at Wincanton last month, however and the runner-up has franked the form since. Muldoon's Picnic won over C&D in October but, like Hereford scorer Court By Surprise, has more on his plate today under a penalty.

Formwatch

Court By Surprise (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Always prominent, led 4th until before next, led after 2 out, clear when guessed at last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Father Probus (10-9) by 7l, 15 ran.

Muldoon's Picnic (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, jinked right before last, ridden clear flat, won at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Roper (10-11) by 5l, 12 ran.

Skint 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along to chase leaders after 3 out, not much room and hampered well before 2 out, soon recovered , led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Nov beating The Reformer (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.

Awesome Freddie 15-2 (10-11) Raced keenly in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression, 4th of 15, 16l behind Sonofvic (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.

Cruising Bye 20-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 7l behind Muldoon's Picnic (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gf in Apr.

Grey Cruzene (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Led 3f, tracked leader, soon mid-division, pushed along halfway, tailed off 5f out, 6th of 9, 33l behind Global Power (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.

Moscow Chancer (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid div, prog to 5th 3out, went close 2nd & pecked badly 2out, sn wknd bhd, onepcd, 5th of 13, 8l behind Valley View (11-7) at Lemonfield 2m ire ptp gs in Mar.

Newton Tonic 18-1 (11-0) Led, clear 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Max Laurie (10-11) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.

Non Dom (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Tracked winner, ridden to lead narrowly 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Lively Fling (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct '09 (flat).

No Obligation (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 5th of 9, well behind Balding Banker (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.

Perfect Shot (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway 5f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 12, 14l behind Woolfall Treasure (10-0) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct (flat).

Piroulet (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, no impression, 4th of 15, 18l behind Colleoni (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.

Ratify 66-1 (11-0) Not fluent, always behind, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Kid Cassidy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.

Stealing Time (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Alw pr, 4th 1/2 way, lst tch in 6th at 10th, bhd when pu 3out, in a race won by Good Old Paul (12-0) at Ballysteen 3m ire ptp gs in Apr, 14 ran.

Twirling Magnet (IRE) 11-10fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) gd in Oct beating I Know The Code (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.

The Hon Tara 6-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, hampered 3rd, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Kaituna (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.