Verdict

Falcon Sun may finish closer in this lower grade but Swaffham Bulbeck and Yaa Salaam were both well beaten on their respective handicap debuts. The latter had run well in novice company over track and trip earlier while Gregarious is fitted with headgear back over hurdles having failed to trouble the winner over fences here back in November. But DREWMAIN LEGEND scored in heavy ground at Leicester before placing in a tougher contest than this at Newbury last time and Ali Stronge’s mare may be the one to side with in this.

Formwatch

Falcon Sun (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on, 4th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Dostal Phil (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Swaffham Bulbeck (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Keen in touch, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 9, 24 1/4l behind Chieftain's Choice (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.

Yaa Salaam (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders 4th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Gunnery (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.

Gregarious (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace, just held for 2nd place post, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Song Of The Sky (11-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.

Deebaj (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, struggling before 4 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Shaw's Cross (10-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.

Drewmain Legend 3-1jfav (10-7) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, 3rd and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 5 1/4l behind Fair Kate (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.