Verdict

El Hageb Rose caused a 100/1 shock over the track and trip in November before reverting to type at Fontwell. MIDNIGHT MARY was in excellent form last winter winning three of five starts. She reappeared after a long break by chasing home Will Victory here, with the remainder in another parish, and can get back on the winning trail. Spike Jones has been out of a place once in nine starts and has only been raised 3lb for his victory at Fontwell on Boxing Day so has to be a threat. Shot Boii has thrived on testing ground and shown real battling qualities to complete his hat-trick. He's only been raised 4lb for his latest success so should get competitive again. Gerico Ville should be losing his maiden tag soon judging by a very close third at Fakenham.

Formwatch

Spike Jones 7-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, pushed along final circuit, ridden along after 3 out, progress into 4th, jumped to front 2 out, clear lead last, ran on well, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Martha Brae (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.

Golden Cosmos (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders out wide, went 2nd before 3 out until 3 out, chased leaders, weakened last, 5th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Sacre Coeur (11-13) at Haydock 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Gerico Ville (FR) 11-2 (11-13) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on strongly from last for 3rd, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Allo Allo (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Jan.

Midnight Mary 13-2 (10-11) Led and disputed, led before 3rd, pushed along and headed turning, no extra omitted last, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Will Victory (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Mr Harp (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chase leaders on inside, flattened 7th and pushed along, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Sacre Coeur (11-13) at Haydock 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Shot Boii (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, headway to lead 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on dourly when strongly pressed from before last, always doing enough, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating William Philo (11-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.

Gold Clermont (FR) 15-2 (11-8) In rear, ridden before 7th, closed when not fluent 9th, struggling 3 out, plugged on after mistake 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 25l behind The Imposter (10-8) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.

El Hageb Rose (FR) 11-1 (11-4) In rear, in touch, pushed along omitted 3 out, beaten before 2 out, 7th of 8, 36 1/4l behind Alexandra Romanov (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Dec.

Entre Deux (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Always in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before omitted 2 out, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.

Aikenbreakinheart (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 7th, pushed along home turn, headed approaching 2 out, ridden before last, no extra and hung right run-in, 5th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Alexandra Romanov (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Dec.