Verdict

Network Oscar is selected to get the better of Northern Shadows, with Royal Coburg and Nobel Bleu de Kerpau a couple of others worth a mention. Network Oscar has had just five career starts to date, being brought along steadily by Mick Easterby, and is dropped back to amore suitable trip here after failing to see out the 25-furlong trip at Wetherby on his handicap debut at the end of December. Prior to that he had lined up in the company of the useful Lennon at Market Rasen and was only seven-and-a-half lengths adrift at the finish. He handles cut in the ground, will know more know, and today's trip should suit. Northern Shadows ran on as though in need of further when runner-up over the course-and-distance recently, but she still appears handily weighted and will lose her maiden tag soon. Royal Cobourg already has, in a Chepstow bumper last March, but has failed to add to that and has plenty of weight here. The small stable of Peter Winkworth has been in great form of late, so Nobel Bleu de Kerpau may run well enough without having the experience to make an impact. Network Oscar is our idea of the winner.

Formwatch

Royal Coburg (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, well behind Alfasonic (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft.

Barclay Boy 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 16, 42l behind Five Colours (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.

Thedublinpublican (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Prominent, led 4th, headed 3 out, not much room approaching last, one pace, 4th of 15, 4l behind Down's Folly (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Dec.

There Is No Doubt (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 16, 25l behind True Mariner (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec.

Network Oscar (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up, hit 6th, headway 8th, ridden and hung left from 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Spectested (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) sft in Dec.

Nobel Bleu de Kerpau (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 22l behind Warningcamp (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.

Coralbrook 8-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 4th, weakened 5th, soon behind, 9th of 10, 38l behind North Lodge (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f amt hcp hdl (F) gd in Nov.

Northern Shadows 8-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Golden Feather (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.