Verdict

Echo Watt returned to action with a second over 2m4f here recently while Inspireus dead-heated for first over the same trip here on his latest start. The latter had earlier ran well over track and trip and is preferred of that pair but it could pay to stick with BALLYBREEN despite carrying a penalty. Evan Williams’ charge has won over similar distances to this at Hereford and Exeter this month, both times in heavy going, and a hat-trick looks on the cards. Minella Examiner was clear in the lead at Wetherby when falling three-out and makes more appeal than stablemate Ector with the remaining pair harder to recommend.

Formwatch

Minella Examiner 20-1 (11-7) Led, 2 lengths ahead when fell 2 out (normal 3 out), at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Dontminddboys (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Held up, always towards rear, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Layerthorpe (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov.

Echo Watt (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Got warn beforehand, jumped left, prominent, wandered into 5th, not fluent 7th, lost place before 9th, closed last bend, led 3 out, headed last, switched left and held flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Moromac (11-1) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.

Ballybreen (IRE) 5-1fav (10-9) Jumped right on occasions, made all, stayed on gamely, unchallenged, won at Exeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Mount Oliver (10-9) by 4 1/4l, 12 ran.

Inspireus (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, closer at 4th, pushed along and outpaced in 5th after 4 out, rallied in 3rd 3 out, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, joined leader post, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Touch Screen (10-1), 10 ran.

Westerberry (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led, jumped right 1st, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 25 1/2l behind Write It Down (11-7) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Sep.

Ector (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway after 13th, hit 5 out, weakened 4 out, 6th of 16, dist behind Sign Of War (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.