Verdict

Hidden Charmer is race-fit but doesn’t have a great strike-rate. Espoir De Teillee clearly has issues at present and so does Ofalltheginjoints but I K Brunel had Miss Seagreen behind when winning a Ladies Open at Larkhill in November. Crypto only ran 10 times under Rules and won twice but HOMME D’UN SOIR gets the nod as he should be approaching peak fitness and did win a beginners’ chase at Roscommon last August when trained by Stuart Crawford.

Formwatch

Espoir De Teillee (FR) 20-1 (12-6) Behind, slow 2nd, jus about in touch but still in rear 8th, no impression, well behind 4 out, pulled up after normal 3 out, at Hereford 2m 5f (5) sft in Jan.

Homme D'Un Soir (FR) 6-1 (11-0) (tt) led 13-14; wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 6, 32l behind Dubai Quest (11-0) at Sheriff Hutton 3m sft in Jan.

I K Brunel 7-2 (11-0) A.p; led 2 out; drvn out, won at Larkhill 3m gd in Nov beating Grageelagh Girl (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.

Crypto (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Prominent, lost place 9th, ridden and stopped quickly, pulled up before 12th, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.

Hidden Charmer (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Lost tch 5; stdy hdwy 9; wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 14, 33 1/2l behind Premier Magic (12-10) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m gs in Dec.

Ofalltheginjoints (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs to 12; t.o & pu 2 out, at Larkhill 3m in Jan.

Miss Seagreen 16-1 (10-2) (5a) bhnd til hdwy 14; kpt on wl 2 out; nvr nr to chall, 3rd of 10, 8 3/4l behind I K Brunel (11-0) at Larkhill 3m gd in Nov.