Verdict

Plenty with something to prove in this but it’s an interesting contest nonetheless. Great things were forecast for Thomas Patrick after he won a Grade 3 at Aintree in 2018 but things have turned sour since. However, he is now looking well handicapped. Another Venture has been keeping better company this season and shouldn’t be far away but the novice Christmas In April failed to cope with a 6lb rise when on a hat-trick at Plumpton. Haydock winner Cobolobo was never travelling next time at Newbury but Le Boizelo has already won around here this winter and is still in good form. ALMINAR is better off at the weights than when third behind Horatio Hornblower at Ffos Las and he bolted up at Chepstow subsequently. This is a better race but he is less exposed than his rivals and may still be on a fair mark. Potters Legend is preferred to the returning St Erney of the others.

Formwatch

Thomas Patrick (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on outside, ran in snatches, struggling 14th, behind from next, pulled up before 4 out, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Another Venture (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden 17th, lost place before 4 out, 6th of 10, 23 1/4l behind Doing Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Potters Legend 7-2 (11-1) Held up, not always fluent, ridden in 4th 17th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.

St Erney 16-1 (11-10) Raced wide, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 11th, pushed along to challenge 4 out, narrow lead 2 out, not fluent and headed last, rallied gamely to lead again final 100 yards, won at Exeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Snuff Box (11-8) by nk, 7 ran.

Cobolobo (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Badly hampered by faller and nearly unseated rider 1st, behind, jumped slowly 3rd, closer before 17th, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Copperhead (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Christmas In April (FR) 4-5fav (11-5) Led and jumped right at times, hit 5th, jumped right and bumped winner 10th, hit 14th, headed 2 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Over To Sam (11-8) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Le Boizelo (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Raced widest, in touch, headway on outside chasing leaders after 11th, led approaching next until approaching 2 out, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 11 3/4l behind Django Django (11-12) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.

Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until blundered and unseated rider 16th, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

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.