Verdict

Victarion is an interesting recruit to hurdling as he had decent form in bumpers earlier in the year, though his yard has been a bit out of sorts lately. CRIQ ROCK has only finished out of the frame once over timber and has come up against some smart performers. He’ll strip fitter for a run over 3m at Kempton and looks the one to beat. Mon Eldorado is a danger as he is certain to improve on his third at Chepstow and The Sweeney boasts similar credentials and can’t be ignored. Kilfilum Cross has won a point-to-point but may just need this.

Formwatch

Bronzallure (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and lost touch 4th, detached, 7th of 8, dist behind Don't Ask (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.

Criq Rock (FR) 7-4fav (10-13) Held up in rear, tracked leading pair before 3 out, went 2nd before next, outpaced between last 2, no chance after, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Follow The Bear (10-13) at Kempton 3m (4) gd in May.

Dassett Gold (FR) 200-1 (11-0) Outpaced and always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, last of 13, dist behind Lostintranslation (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Dec.

Eurato (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place after 4 out, ridden before next, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Oski (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (4) gd in Dec.

Kilfilum Cross (IRE) 7-4 (12-1) Chsd ldrs on inner, 5l 2nd 1/2way, closer 2nd bef 2out, prog to 1l adv bef last, ko best flat, won at Cragmore 3m mdn hvy in Feb beating Strangford Lough (11-10) by 1/2l, 4 ran.

Leskinfere (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on run in, 4th of 12, 17l behind Uppertown Prince (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.

Lissycasey (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, lost place 2 out, weakened, 7th of 16, 25 3/4l behind New To This Town (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.

Mon Eldorado (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Led, headed after 1st, tracked leaders, chased winner from last, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 14, 5 1/4l behind The Last Day (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.

Pandinus Imperator (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) Slowly away in rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 6th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Darksideoftarnside (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Oct.

The Sweeney (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, head way 6 out, one pace in 3rd before 3 out, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Chooseyourweapon (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.

Victarion (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up on outside, closed over 7f out, led over 3f out, edged left and headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Portrush Ted (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Mar.

Western Morning (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 12, 33 1/2l behind Court Liability (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Nov.

Hayley Belle (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, soon clear, jumped right, headed before 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up, at Southwell 3m (4) sft in Dec.