Verdict

Alrightjack won a Fontwell bumper in November and attracted strong support for his hurdling debut at Wincanton but looked in need of the experience and finished a long way behind third-placed COLDITZ CASTLE. Alan King's charge had been travelling nicely when unseating his rider on his hurdling debut and was impeded at the start next time but stayed on well and looks ready to lose his maiden tag. Dessie's Diamond hasn't been getting home on soft ground while the four-year-old Flaminger was beaten a long way at Kempton on his first start since arriving from France. Penny Poet was in fine form on the all-weather last summer and though beaten 12 lengths by Posh Trish on her debut over timber at Wincanton that was certainly no disgrace as the winner subsequently scored in Listed company. Shut The Box has shown potential in bumpers and looks best of the remainder.

Formwatch

Alrightjack (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 8th of 16, 18 1/4l behind Winston C (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in Jan.

Colditz Castle (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway from 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Winston C (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in Jan.

Dessie's Diamond (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, plugged on in 5th, mistake last, 5th of 14, 14l behind Melchior King (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.

Dorking Boy 14-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up, mistake 1st, closer and in touch 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Secret Investor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gs in Oct.

Mr Stubbs (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Brandon Castle (11-11) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Jan.

Shut The Box (IRE) 7-2jfav (10-12) Keen pressed winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Move Above (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.

Madam Anna (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear and never a factor, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Brandon Castle (11-11) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Jan.

Penny Poet (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up, bumped 3rd, travelling well enough in 5th place after 3 out, left modest 2nd at the last, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Posh Trish (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.

Sparkling Dawn 16-1 (10-10) In rear, slow 2nd, pushed along 3rd, jinked right and unseated rider 4th, at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.

Captain Speaking (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, last of 7, dist behind Our Power (11-4) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.

Flaminger (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, headway into 3rd place after 2nd, led briefly 3 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 5, 24 1/4l behind Vlannon (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Jan.

Noble Saffron 100-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, tracked leader 2nd, led 5th until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Baddesley Knight (11-2) at Plumpton 2m (4) gd in Jan.