Verdict

Mondello was only beaten a short-head at Wincanton last week when a couple of pounds out of the handicap. Racing off his correct mark here, he must take all the beating with Harry Cobden taking off a further 3lb. But we just prefer MUTHABIR, who produced another good run at Kempton after winning here last month and is reunited with Richard Johnson. Awesome Rosie was only beaten a length at Doncaster last month but is 3lb higher while Aliandy has gone up 4lb since a similar effort at the same track. Chic Theatre was raised 5lb after winning at Market Rasen early last month and Bank Bonus for finishing second at Catterick.

Formwatch

Chic Theatre (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Crookstown (11-11) by 3l, 9 ran.

Awesome Rosie 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, on inside, travelling well before 3 out, 2nd before next, ridden to challenge approaching last, no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Graceful Legend (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.

Ossie's Dancer 66-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, behind from next, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Krugermac (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, weakened into last pair when mistake 3 out, 8th of 9, 31l behind Maestro Royal (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Bank Bonus 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Italian Riviera (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.

McKenzie's Friend (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 17, dist behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Aliandy (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Led at start, took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway on outside before 3 out, went 2nd approaching next where mistake, ridden edging left between last 2, kept on run-in, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Midnight Cowboy (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.

Muthabir (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside tracking leaders before 3 out, ridden beteween last two, plugged on same pace run-in, 6th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Doesyourdogbite (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec.

Bodyswerve (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased clear leaders after 4 out, went remote 4th after next, never a threat, 4th of 13, 36 1/2l behind Kayf Grace (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.

Spyder 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders and keen, tracked leader 2nd until 7th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Dalaki (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f (5) gd in Dec.

Tipperairy (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, soon pushed along, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind King Cool (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.

Mondello (GER) 25-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway when not clear run before 2 out, led approaching last, hard pressed, headed close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Chase End Charlie (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.