Verdict

Joie De Vivre ended a long losing run over track and trip last month. She remains on a winning mark but is upped a grade for this and SPOT ON SOPH is preferred. The latter has gone close at this level the last twice now including over these hurdles last time when second to Zwicky, who won again subsequently. Ravenscar and Midnight Shuffle were both winning over shorter trips earlier in the year while Inspiratrice placed over 2m when last seen over hurdles.

Formwatch

Inspiratrice (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) In rear, not fluent 3rd, never a factor, 6th of 9, 20 1/2l behind Arclight (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f lst (1) gs in Nov.

Midnight Shuffle 16-5 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pecked 1st, outpaced 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Poetic Music (11-12) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Apr.

Ravenscar (IRE) 17-2 (11-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on but no impression, well held run-in, 3rd of 12, 13 1/2l behind Moonlight Glory (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.

Spot On Soph (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway home turn, went 4th 2 out, shaken up and led approaching last, edged left and bumped rival final flight, ridden run-in and headed 110 yards out, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Zwicky (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.

Joie De Vivre (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Chased leaders out wide, left 2nd and hampered by faller 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well to go clear run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Line In The Sand (11-8) by 3 3/4l, 14 ran.

Belle Na Bann (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Soon chasing leaders, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Horn Cape (12-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.