Verdict

Howaya Now has performed well in staying races over hurdles and reverts to the smaller obstacles after jumping poorly over fences at Warwick. Drop Flight won three times over fences in France including in Listed company but he was racing in hunter-chases earlier this year and hasn't run over hurdles since 2019. CLASSIC CONCORDE's only defeat in his last five came on very fast ground at Huntingdon. He won a Class 3 handicap at Ffos Las a couple of weeks ago with a bit in hand and can defy a 6lb rise. Blue Shark completed a five-timer last winter, all in Class 5 company, and has struggled from his raised mark in this grade. Zwicky has won three of his last five and though unraced over a trip this far was staying on strongly over 2m5f at Doncaster last month.

Formwatch

Howaya Now (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, awkward 4th, mistake 10th, went 2nd at 12th and chased clear leader thereafter, not fluent 3 out, well held by leader when fell 2 out, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.

Drop Flight (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 13th, hit 14th, headway to press leaders before 3 out where not fluent, ridden home turn, 8 lengths 2nd jumping last, stayed on strongly run-in, just denied, 2nd of 9, shd behind Firak (12-2) at Hexham 3m (5) sft in Apr.

Classic Concorde (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, shaken up and led before 2 out, soon ridden and stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Balkardy (10-13) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.

Blue Shark (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Never closer than mid-division, 7th of 9, 21 3/4l behind The Imposter (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.

Zwicky 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway into midfield before 3 out where wandered, awkward head carriage approaching last, stayed on run-in, took 3rd near finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Immortal Fame (12-0) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.