Verdict

Sherborne has won three times over hurdles and shown ability in two runs over fences but Ballybeen is proving frustrating to follow. Kingofthewest was more than 14 lengths behind HEROS (NAP) at Taunton and is only 8lb better off. The top weight may be worth sticking with as there should be plenty more to come and the yard continues in sparkling form. Scene One was also a winner on chasing debut, at Fakenham, and Fontwell runner-up Aviles gets a weight-for-age allowance again and is another from a stable in fine form.

Formwatch

Heros (FR) 5-2fav (11-3) Prominent, left in lead 9th, shaken up and briefly headed after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, pecked on landing last, ridden out, cosily, won at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Non Stop (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.

Scene One (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd after 10th, led after last (normal 2 out), stayed on well, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Icaque De L'isle (12-0) by 3l, 6 ran.

No No Tango 8-1 (11-6) Rear mid-division, mistake 8th, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden next and gradually weakened, 4th of 7, 13 1/2l behind School Days Over (11-6) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

American Gerry (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, pushed along and lost ground after 4 out, soon well held, 5th of 11, 31 1/2l behind Brentford Hope (11-8) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Ballybeen (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Tracked leader on inner, ridden and every chance before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 11, 10 1/2l behind Guguss Collonges (10-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Kingofthewest (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Midfield, pushed along and chased leading group 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Heros (11-3) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov.

Good Friday Fairy (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Led, jumped slowly and headed 4 out, chased leader, ridden when hung left before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Brulure Noire (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.

Aviles (FR) 2-1jfav (10-3) In touch on outer, went 2nd before 3 out, pressed leader approaching 2 out where mistake and blundered, soon recovered and pushed along to dispute lead last, stayed on and every chance run-in, just denied, 2nd of 6, shd behind Hardy Fella (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.

Sherborne (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) In touch, headway 5 out, tracking leaders when clipped heals 3 out and lost action, ridden and rallied flat, 4th of 11, 23 3/4l behind Egbert (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Brown Bullet (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden home turn, no progress, 6th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Miss Fedora (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.