Verdict

We will side with PRETTY STAR to get the better of Pass Me A Dime and Double Dizzy. The selection looked like one to stay on the right side of when he won in convincing fashion at Ludlow last time beating Antonius Caesar. He goes on the ground and he looks to be one step ahead of the handicapper at present so we see no reason to take him on. Pass Me A Dime has not won for more than two years but he went close last time when only beaten a head by Stolen Moments at Exeter and if he can back that up then he should go close. Double Dizzy will go on the ground but he is better on a sounds surface and for that reason we will narrowly pass him over. Hermano Cordobes has had a short break, but he is another who is best on a sound surface. Pretty Star is put forward as the confident choice.

Formwatch

Double Dizzy 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and chased leader 17th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, driven out and stayed on well, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan beating Lord Killeshanra (10-11) by 1l, 9 ran.

Strawberry (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 16l behind One Gulp (11-2) at Kempton 3m mrs lst nov hdl (1) gd in Nov.

Chiaro (FR) 9-4 (11-0) In touch, headway 11th, soon ridden, one pace from 4 out, 5th of 7, 20l behind Radetsky March (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.

That's An Idea (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-9) Led and disputed, in front when mistake 4 out, weakened, no danger when mistake last, 7th of 8, 17l behind Mantell (10-7) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Mar.

Portland Bill (IRE) 11-4 (11-11) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Consigliere (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 4 ran.

Pretty Star (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, mistake last, won at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan beating Antonius Caesar (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.

Pass Me A Dime 11-4fav (11-3) Held up behind, headway after 13th, chased leaders 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on from after 3 out, led briefly flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 6, hd behind Stolen Moments (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.

Macmar (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 14th, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 6, 49l behind Stolen Moments (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.

Gold Heart (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, mistake 11th, challenging when fell 3 out in race won by Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.

Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Prominent, chased leader 11th, led 13th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 30l behind Wizard of Edge (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.