Formwatch

Bathgate 6-4fav (11-13) Midfield, prominent before 2nd, smooth headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden, joined approaching last, soon headed, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind John Betjeman (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Expelliarmus (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Rear mid-division, pushed along 3 out and short-lived effort, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Tanking Along (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Tanking Along (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Made all, pushed along after 2 out, stayed on, drifted left run-in, never seriously challenged, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating National Question (10-6) by 2l, 10 ran.

No More Bolero 9-4jfav (10-13) Prominent, led 3 out, went two lengths clear before last, asserted and went further clear after last, readily (trainer could offer no explanation for apparent improved form, gelding routine tested), won at Ludlow 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Bluenose Belle (11-3) by 13l, 11 ran.

Toby Two Scoops 12-1 (11-0) Handy, pushed along after 3 out, lost place and stayed on one pace before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 6 1/4l behind Stardrop (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.

Balranald (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, lost ground after 4th, shaken up 5th, in rear and struggling 6th, faded from 3 out, 8th of 11, 30 1/4l behind National Question (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct.

Ascension Day (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) In rear, ridden 2 out, no real progress, 6th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Tanking Along (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.