Verdict

A long absence may count against Drawn Free but fellow course and distance winner Just Beware always tries hard and it would be no surprise to see Zoe Davidson's veteran in the places again. Prickles warrants a mention after opening her account at Uttoxeter at the end of December but Chepstow fourth Old Magic is probably still a few pounds too high in the weights and Arbeejay hasn't run over hurdles since last summer and has been in woeful form on the Flat. BATHWICK JUNIOR won over course and distance in December and ran well when second off a higher mark at Fontwell later when Chilbury Hill was a well-beaten third. She's gone up a further 3lb since but is much improved and Tom Cannon is a good jockey booking in this conditionals' race. Michael Blake's mare gets the nod.

Formwatch

Drawn Free (IRE) 9-4 (9-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent and went 2nd 3rd, led before 6th, headed approaching 2 out, 4th and weakening when fell last, in a race won by Action Impact (11-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan '12, 5 ran.

Prickles 9-2 (10-10) Made all, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec beating Go Annie (10-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.

Old Magic (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led, headed before 2nd, chased leaders, no extra from last, 4th of 10, 5l behind Lady Bridget (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.

Rulbin Realta 5-1 (11-8) Close up, ridden in 3rd before 2 out until after last, no extra, 6th of 9, 13l behind Romney Marsh (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.

Just Beware 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 5th, hit 3 out, ridden next, headed soon after last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Thunderstorm (11-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.

Push Me (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened after 5th, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Colour Squadron (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec '11.

Bathwick Junior 9-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway after 5th, chased leading pair 3 out, stayed on to 2nd soon after last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Uimhir A Seacht (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec.

Arbeejay 20-1 (10-2) Prominent when hampered 1st, tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4th, behind 6th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Gigondas (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Aug, 10 ran.

Chilbury Hill (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, headed 2 out, well held when mistake last and dropped to 3rd soon after, no extra, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Uimhir A Seacht (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec.

Golden Acorn (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 14, well behind Home Run (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.

The Saucy Snipe 50-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden and slightly outpaced 3 out, headway when hit next, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 4l behind Thunderstorm (11-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.