Verdict

Scrutinise completed a double at Plumpton in Class 5 handicaps but couldn't handle a 4lb rise in better company back there a fortnight ago. American Tom was beaten in sellers last season and was outclassed over fences at Sandown earlier this month. Rootless Tree won a novices' hurdle over the track and trip then found 2m5f beyond him at Wincanton when tackling a higher-grade handicap than this. Shetland Bus battled to victory over 2m4f at Musselburgh but disappointed at Ludlow a few days later on softer ground. ZAMANI, a dual winner on the Flat, still looked in need of experience when landing a novices' hurdle at Fontwell last month but stayed on strongly and has more scope than any of these so gets the vote.

Formwatch

Rootless Tree (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 7th, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Shetland Bus (GER) 7-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, led 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Subcontinent (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Aiguille Rouge (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Towards rear, driven along before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Dostal Phil (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

The Crooner (FR) 7-2cfav (11-2) Led until after 2nd, 2nd until 4th, not fluent 5th or 6th, mistake 4 out, weakened from next, mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Ardmayle (IRE) 7-1 (11-13) Chased clear leader, closer at 7th, challenging for the lead when mistake 9th, chased winner 4 out until before 2 out, chased leaders, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Defi Sacre (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.

American Tom (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Held up last, went remote 5th 3 out, never a factor, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Locker Room Talk (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Zamani (GER) 5-2 (10-12) Often jumped left, chased leader, went left and bumped 1st, pecked 4 out, ridden to lead after 3 out, wandered next, driven 2 lengths ahead when wandered and hit last where left further clear, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec beating John Betjeman (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.

Sheeza Legend 100-1 (10-5) Led until slow 1st, led after next, headed 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 20l behind Faire Part Sivola (10-12) at Leicester 2m (3) hvy in Dec.

Scrutinise 6-1 (10-7) Raced wide in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 8th of 11, 28l behind Lightly Squeeze (12-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.