Verdict

It was no surprise when Bishop Of Bling never figured in a Grade 2 at Doncaster last month but he still finished ahead of the tailed-off Shrubland. Don Bersy still held every chance when falling on his UK debut at Warwick last month and should find a race but it’s hard to see him troubling FIDUX here, despite receiving weight. Alan King’s charge only won by a short-head when backed into favouritism on his hurdles bow at Catterick but is sure to have learned plenty from that.

Formwatch

Fidux (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, led 2 out, headed flat, rallied to lead again post, won at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Walsingham Grange (10-12) by shd, 9 ran.

Aristocles (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) With leader, reminder after 6th, ridden before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Rainbow Dreamer (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Dec.

Bishop Of Bling (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 24 3/4l behind Cliffs Of Dover (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.

Don Bersy (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, every chance when fell next, at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Dec.

Shrubland 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place after 4 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Cliffs Of Dover (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.

Dunraven Blue 50-1 (10-0) In rear, jumped left at times, slow 5th, mistake next, soon well behind, ran out 3 out, at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.

Spanish Queen 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, lost place after 5th, tailed off 3 out, last of 9, dist behind Rainbow Dreamer (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Dec.