Verdict

Atrafan’s winning run came to an end with a defeat over 6f here. He’d earlier beaten previous winner Sovereign Moon while Bobby Joe Leg won over track and trip on his penultimate start. DIVINE CONNECTION is creeping closer having slipped down the weights since successful at Wolverhampton early last year and she may come good again with blinkers replacing the usual cheekpieces. Alala makes her handicap debut and could prove best of the rest.

Formwatch

Arsonist (GER) 14-1 (9-4) Outpaced towards rear, pushed along inside final 3f, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 6l behind Covert Mission (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.

Atrafan (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Tracked clear leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Twentysharesofgrey (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Feb.

Presidential (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Reluctant on way to post, held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, losing place when hampered and snatched up inside final 2f, 10th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Tell'em Nowt (10-0) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.

Bobby Joe Leg 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along out wide chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, last of 9, 4 1/4l behind Back From Dubai (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.

Equidae 33-1 (9-7) Raced far side of group, chased leaders, every chance 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 11, 15 1/2l behind Tell'em Nowt (10-0) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.

Divine Connection 13-2 (9-6) Raced keenly, led 2f, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on same pace inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 2l behind Sovereign Moon (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.

Alala (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, some late headway out wide, never on terms, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Knockabout Queen (9-2) at Southwell 6f stks (6) pol in Feb.

Sovereign Moon 11-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden and effort towards far side 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Atrafan (9-6) at Southwell 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.

Baron Run 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on inside, led 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Khatm (9-5) at Southwell 7f stks (6) pol in Mar.

Macocha (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Burtonwood (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.

Gleaming Maize 150-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 10, 2l behind Western Music (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Feb.

Outofthegloom 125-1 (8-12) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Twentysharesofgrey (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Feb.