Verdict

Stuart Crawford won this last year and runs winning bumper and pointer Elusive Theatre, though she's been looking one-paced in maidens in Ireland. SUMKINDOFKING (NAP) might be one to follow over hurdles this winter as he bolted up in a Chepstow bumper on his debut under Rules and has already won between the flags. Starplex should have benefited from his fifth at Ayr but Carlisle runner-up Leading Score looks thoroughly exposed.

Formwatch

Leading Score (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, every chance before last, kept on and well held run-in, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Theatre Act (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Lost Frequency 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader to before 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 13, 26 3/4l behind Spiritofthegames (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Oct.

Starplex 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven and one pace after 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Miss Maiden Over (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.

Sumkindofking (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Soon led, headed after 1f, chased leaders, led over 3f out, clear over 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Nov beating Eaton Hill (11-0) by 12l, 7 ran.

Byresteads Farm 250-1 (10-10) Towards rear and in touch, mistakes, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up, at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Nov.

Elusive Theatre (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 3 out and soon no impression in 4th, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 14, 27 1/4l behind Bel Ami De Sivola (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn gd in Nov.