Verdict

In another hard one to call, Amanpuri is the pick over Prestbury Knight, Festive Chimes, Clan Royal and Siegfrieds Night to name but a few. Having been claimed out of a Chepstow seller in November, Amanpuri improved with each run for Alison Thorpe, and he came good at Fontwell just eight days ago when outbattling Albert House, the pair finishing 16 lengths clear of the third horse. As long as the ground does not dry up, he has decent claims of shrugging off an eight-pound penalty. Prestbury Knight was produced fit enough to defy a 10-month absence at Taunton, but did not beat much and time will tell if he is well weighted on his handicap debut. Festive Chimes also looks weighted up to the hilt now but she is a tough mare and will be running on at the finish. Clan Royal we know all about and there is no denying that he is chucked in compared to his chase rating, but this is just another step on the way to Aintree, and Jonjo will be happy if he reaches the frame with no negative reports. Siegfrieds Night has not visited the winner's enclosure since November 2004 but is starting to appear better handicapped than of late, so it would be no surprise if her were to run well. All in all, this is a tough one, but so is Amanpuri, and he gets the nod, just.

Formwatch

Festive Chimes (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, improved 5th, chased leading pair 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.

Mazzareme (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 4th and weakening when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Killing Me Softly (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.

Clan Royal (FR) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up behind, steady progress from 5th, tracked leaders after 7th, short -lived effort approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 14, 19l behind Keepers Mead (11-4) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.

Prestbury Knight 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, ran on to challenge 2 out, led last, driven out flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec beating Loita Hills (10-12) by 4l, 9 ran.

Simply Mystic 10-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, hit 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 18l behind Euro American (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.

Amanpuri (GER) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led soon after 2 out, soon hard ridden, all out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft beating Albert House (11-7) by a nk, 8 ran.

Siegfrieds Night (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, driven along 7th, chased leaders 3 out, ran on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind New Perk (10-3) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.

Zeloso 8-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, well behind Ask The Umpire (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft.