Verdict

This has a competitive look to it but we'll side with SHAKE THE BARLEY from Midnight Haze and I'm A Legend. Tom George's horse was well backed when trying to give 12lbs to Noun De La Thinte last time, before narrowly giving best to Venetia Williams' in-form mare. That one has franked the form in no uncertain terms and if it weren't for a late error our selection may have in fact won the race, so from a 5lb higher mark he's taken to recoup losses for connections. Midnight Haze has been given a break since failing to carry a penalty to victory last time, so whilst he returns to the track off a 9lb higher mark than when last seen perhaps he'll prove up to defying it. His course win in November was a good one and with conditions ideal he's expected to take a hand in the finish alongside I'm A Legend. The last-named has been consistent over fences and this looks his best opportunity for some time, so off a declining handicap mark he's expected to run a big race for a yard going well. Top-weight Marcus will surely attract a fair share of market support and if his master handler has him fit this mark might not prove prohibitive, but with a two year absence to contend with we're prepared to take him on today. Black Ven is lightly-raced and will stay this far but the race in which he was second last time didn't look particularly strong so he's opposed with Massini Sunset who wins in his turn but he was pulled up when last seen and needs to bounce back. Royal Wedding represents a yard in form but his jumping can be poor, whilst Manmoon is yet to win over fences and looks up against it. This is competitive make no mistake but Shake The Barley brings solid form claims to the table and can score.

Formwatch

Marcus 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 10th, ridden after 13th, soon weakened, behind when fell last, in a race won by Karanja (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chase (4) sft in Feb '08, 13 ran.

Jigsaw Dancer (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, mistake next, mistake and weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Fistral Beach (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.

Royal Wedding 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along before 7th, weakened before 4 out, disputing well held sixth and no chance when bumped and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Green Belt Elite (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 10 ran.

Shake The Barley (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 6th, not fluent 8th, strong challenge last, held close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.

Midnight Haze 5-2fav (12-0) Prominent, ridden to chase winner 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.

I'm A Legend 9-1 (10-13) Held up, closed 10th, mistake 12th, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, blundered 2 out, went modest 4th before last, 4th of 8, 32l behind Pickamus (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.

King Jack 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 10th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Buffalo Bob (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 13 ran.

Manmoon (FR) 10-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, 50l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.

Black Ven (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Prominent, under pressure 8th, soon outpaced, headway after last, stayed on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Rince Donn (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Massini Sunset (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bertie May (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.

Irish Guard 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place 15th, soon behind, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 13 ran.