Verdict

JOHN WILLIAMS (NAP) is something of a course specialist and he holds Cool Valley on the form book. With Rachael McDonald again taking off 5lb, the top weight looks the one to beat again. Benny's Secret was only beaten a short-head over course and distance 11 days ago and has been left on the same mark. Nick Alexander’s charge has to be a danger if reproducing that effort and has only run twice over fences so far. None of the others make much appeal on the little they have so far shown.

Formwatch

John Williams (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th until approaching 4 out, chased leading pair, 2nd again 3 out, left in lead last, ridden run-in, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Mumgos Debut (11-4) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

Benny's Secret (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, ran on strongly flat, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Henry's Joy (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jan.

Extreme Appeal (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, weakened after 2 out, 11th of 16, dist behind Oregon Gold (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.

Cool Valley (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Made most, ridden and headed last, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Henry's Joy (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jan.

Devito'sgoldengirl (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, driven 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened before last, 7th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Alizee De Janeiro (11-10) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Dec.

Court Painter (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression before last, 5th of 9, 6l behind Trooblue (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.