Verdict

Drumbeater has shown improved form since being stepped up in trip, winning four of his last five starts, and is taken to defy another 6lb rise and score at the main expense of Piran and Hidden Bounty. The last mentioned has the burden of top weight to shoulder but Keith Reveley's gelding is capable of shouldering big weights and his recent form is solid. Martin Pipe's Yourman has not been seen since chasing home stablemate Standin Obligation at Chepstow in October and given that the yard's horses have tended to go well after a break, he has to be respected. Go For Bust has claims on the form shown when successful at Ludlow last month but was well held off his new mark over a longer trip at Southwell last time and is probably best watched. Bengo is less exposed than most but needs to improve, while Jiver ran better over a similar trip at Warwick last time and has to be respected on that evidence. Ingres is strictly held by Piran on running at Ludlow last time and it may be that the Evan Williams-trained gelding is on the upgrade but the vote goes to Drumbeater, who is taken to win again.

Formwatch

Hidden Bounty (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on for 2nd when hampered last, held flat, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Russian Sky (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Dec.

Yourman (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, every chance last, one pace flat, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Standin Obligation (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (B) sft in Oct.

Chicuelo (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 10th of 17, 28l behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Nov.

Go For Bust 7-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, one pace, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Hoh Viss (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.

Colourful Life (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Always behind, blundered badly 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by A Glass In Thyne (10-12) at Southwell 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan, 15 ran.

Irishkawa Bellevue (FR) 33-1 (9-11) Led to 5th, ridden approaching 8th, weakening when hit 9th, 14th of 15, 37l behind Nine De Sivola (9-7) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.

Drumbeater (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up, headway 5th, chased leader 9th, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec beating Keepers Mead (11-6) by a nk, 18 ran.

Bengo (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) In touch, mistake 7th, ridden 13th, staying on when blundered badly last, not recover, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Simon (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs in Jan.

Jiver (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Soon in touch, led 3 out, headed 2 out, led again last, headed close home, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Passenger Omar (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.

Sword Lady 10-1 (11-5) Led after 1st until 3rd, led next, mistake 5th, headed next, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 19l behind Sunley Shines (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Its Wallace Jnr 16-1 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, stayed on well to go 3rd approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 12, 12l behind Pretty Star (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gd in Dec.

Alagon (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 11th of 17, 48l behind Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.

Ingres 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, ran on flat, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.

Elenas River (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Jumped right, led after 1st, headed 5 out, weakened after 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Take The Stand (11-12) at Uttoxeter 4m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gf in Jun '04, 16 ran.

Double Dizzy 150-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakening approaching 2 out and mistake, 7th of 8, 45l behind Denman (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.

Piran (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, led after 3 out, driven out, won at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan beating Ingres (10-12) by 2l, 18 ran.

Victom's Chance (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up in last pair, hit 5th, ridden and struggling after 3 out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Dom d'Orgeval (10-11) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.