Verdict

IMPACT ZONE is narrowly preferred here to top-weight Mister Fizzbomb and potential improver Cosmetic. The selection was a beaten favourite when last seen at Ayr but he had previously been in good form between the flags. Given a break to freshen him up the feeling is that he should run well today, despite the trip looking on the short side. Mister Fizzbomb ran well at Catterick in December and comes here on the back of a similar break to the selection. He's a reliable sort and even if he doesn't win he should provide a good yardstick for assessing the race. The drop in trip will suit Uncle Michael, Cosmetic shaped with promise on her first start and hasn't been given hard time in two subsequent runs since, whilst Pay One takes a big drop in trip but at least handles the ground well. Nightboat To Cairo, Amjad and Lerida all come here on the back of good recent efforts and it would be no surprise to see any win, however Impact Zone has more potential off this mark of 84 and is preferred.

Formwatch

Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led, ridden 2 out, blundered last, headed and no extra, run-in, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Amir Pasha (11-1) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 3yo+ (5) gs in Dec.

Impact Zone 5-2fav (10-2) Chased leaders, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 44l behind Olifan d'Oudairies (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Uncle Michael 20-1 (11-0) Prominent to 3rd, behind from 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.

Cosmetic 80-1 (10-4) Chased leader, wandered approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Truckers Hall (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs.

Pay On (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up, effort 8th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 16l behind Solway Sunset (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.

Kalibs Dream 100-1 (9-10) Close up on outside, lost place approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Young Buddy (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.

Amjad 7-2 (10-1) In rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 5th before last, never nearer, 5th of 8, 12l behind Crystal Runner (10-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.

Lerida 14-1 (10-11) Led to 5th, tracked leader, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Desperate Dex (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.

Nightboat To Cairo (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) In touch, tracked winner 3rd, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on, no impression flat, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.

Naughty Diesel 17-2 (9-7) Led until after 5th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Devils Delight (9-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy, 12 ran.