Verdict

Ashfield Paddy is possibly better over a bit further but he has been running well in better races and is likely to be in the firing-line. The Raven's Return is usually thereabouts while Endless Flight won impressively at Exeter. STEAL A MARCH (NAP) had to be hard ridden to land the odds at Hereford but that that was only his third career start and it will have taught him plenty. The Queen’s gelding doesn’t look overburdened on his handicap debut. Brummie Boys is also on an upward curve and Lossiemouth and Iconic Muddle have been knocking on the door while Fort Denison is better than he showed last time at Doncaster.

Formwatch

Lossiemouth 2-1 (10-12) Not fluent 1st, raced wide tracking leaders, stumbled badly bend before 2nd, slightly lost place 5th, rallied after omitted 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner, went left and mistake last, 2nd of 7, 24l behind Unwin Vc (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.

Ashfield Paddy (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden to chase winner at last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mr Muldoon (11-10) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.

Brummie Boys (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Held up in touch, short of room 3rd, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Black Pirate (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.

Steal A March 10-11fav (10-12) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, led again 3 out, headed after next, soon outpaced, rallied flat, stayed on strongly to lead post, won at Hereford 2m 6f (4) hvy in Dec beating Frisson Collonges (10-12) by ns, 10 ran.

Iconic Muddle 5-1 (11-3) Chased winner, hit 1st, lost 2nd before the last, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 10 1/4l behind Stick With Bill (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.

Endless Flight (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Towards rear, good headway on wide outside chasing leaders bypassing 4th, 2nd on long run before 3 out, led before 3 out, went clear next, kept on strongly (hurdles in back straight omitted, only 6 jumped), won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Flagrant Delitiep (11-6) by 9 1/2l, 11 ran.

Fort Denison (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Methag (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.

The Raven's Return 5-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway before 4th, led 2 out, headed last, held towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Jaisalmer (12-1) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.

I'm A Starman 20-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, headway 8th (usual 12th), lost place last (usual 5 out), never able to get back on terms, weakened on extended run-in, 4th of 5, 28 1/4l behind Chapel Stile (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.

Storm Force Ben (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up, always behind, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, dist behind Fiddlerontheroof (10-12) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Dec.