Verdict

Medalla De Oro produced contrasting performances at Southwell in July. At his best, he would be entitled to be a short-priced favourite in this but is taken on with the well-regarded CHESS PLAYER (NAP). Second to a useful sort in an Ayr bumper in April of last year, Ben Pauling’s five-year-old hasn’t raced since but is unlikely to turn up here in need of the run. Cherry Cola would have probably placed at Plumpton last month had she not unseated at the last and A Distant Place won a point in January, though looks a chasing type.

Formwatch

Ace Time 18-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Socialist Agenda (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Aug.

A Distant Place (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Last & ww, sl prog in 5th well aftr 2out, ld on outer bef last, went clr run-in, easily, won at Carrigarostig 3m mdn sft in Jan beating Mister Sweets (12-2) by 6l, 9 ran.

Chess Player (IRE) 11-4jfav (10-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out, led inside final 2f, shaken up over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 3 3/4l behind December Second (11-0) at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr.

Elios D'Or (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, weakened 4f out, tailed off and pulled up entering home straight, at Huntingdon 2m (5) gs in Mar.

Grey Felix 10-3 (11-0) Took a keen hold, prominent, pushed along 3f out, lost position and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7 3/4l behind The Trampolinist (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) gs in Sep.

Mawlood (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 4th, in touch when fell next, at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Sep.

Medalla De Oro 2-7fav (11-0) Raced keenly tracking leader, not fluent 5th, closed to lead 2 out, headed and mistake last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Perfect Grace (10-5) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.

Rock On Tommy 18-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, rider unbalanced briefly 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 11, 32 1/4l behind Sun Rising Hill (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Sep.

Temur Khan 28-1 (10-12) Chased winner, jumped right 1st, lost 2nd 5th, weakened before 2 out, mistake last, 6th of 10, 35l behind Grey Spirit (11-4) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Sep.

Willies Dream 5-2jfav (12-0) won at Kingston St Mary 2m 4f mdn gd in Apr.

Cherry Cola 5-2 (10-5) Held up, went left 1st, towards rear, headway before 3 out, challenging for 3rd when mistake and unseated rider last, at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn (4) gf in Sep.