Verdict

Fortified Bay has suddenly found his form over fences, following a shock win at Market Rasen with a very strong performance over 3m here, but is untried over further. Shanroe Santos is a thorough stayer who loves testing ground and has won off a higher mark than this. Calipso Collonges jumps well and likes the conditions though is unproven over the trip but Petite Power has no problems with the distance or ground, though looks a few pounds high. Very First Time won around here as a novice though has been well beaten when tackling extreme distances. Ascot De Bruyere has a very good record around here, though over much shorter, but Glittering Love completed a four-timer last winter on testing ground and should go well. Prime Venture will stay the trip and likes the ground but the vote goes to HUGO 'N TAZ (NAP). A winning point-to-pointer and hurdler in Ireland, he made a successful debut for David Pipe at Market Rasen and still looks on a fair mark despite an 8lb rise.

Formwatch

Prime Venture (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up in close 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, went 2nd between last 2, 3 lengths down last, stayed on and closed on winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Aaron Lad (10-12) at Exeter 3m (3) hvy in Jan.

Fortified Bay (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway before 5th, went 2nd 4 out, led before last, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Hill Sixteen (11-4) by 2l, 10 ran.

Shanroe Santos (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mistake 6th, always rear-division, never on terms, 9th of 14, 21 3/4l behind Jepeck (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Calipso Collonges (FR) 14-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 6 out, went 2nd after next, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Lord Du Mesnil (10-8) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.

Petite Power (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, lost a few places 5th, pushed along after 12th, hampered 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 13, 17 1/2l behind Kimberlite Candy (11-4) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.

Very First Time 5-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, outpaced before 14th, good headway on outside chased leaders before 2 out, led before last, stayed on strongly, ridden clear, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Tanarpino (11-13) by 6l, 8 ran.

Ascot De Bruyere (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent and lost place 4th, headway 12th, outpaced after 15th, 4th before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 10, 21l behind Fortified Bay (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Glittering Love (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 15th, close 3rd 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Fortified Bay (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Donna's Delight (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Made all, not fluent 5th, jumped right and not fluent 16th, clear before 4 out, eased close home, won at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Speak Of The Devil (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.

Hugo 'n Taz 5-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, led before last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Cyclop (10-6) by 4l, 9 ran.

Alminar (IRE) 4-1jfav (12-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, led before 2 out, clear final 100 yards, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Troed Y Melin (10-10) by 5l, 10 ran.

Financial Outcome (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Disputed lead until blundered badly and good recovery by rider 4 out, never able to get back on terms, well held in 3rd from next, 3rd of 5, 12 1/2l behind Fortescue (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.