Verdict

Romanor ran no sort of race at Fontwell on Saturday and it would need a massive turnaround for him to figure here. Mortens Leam ended last season with a victory on heavy ground at Wetherby but regular pilot Phillip Donovan has gone back to Ireland. Victarion made mistakes before being pulled up here in August but Smuggler's Blues may have more to offer following wind surgery and Alexander The Grey is capable, though has a terrible strike-rate. ILLUMINATED BEAUTY has looked ready for a step up in trip at Uttoxeter recently and gets a final chance to come good.

Formwatch

Mortens Leam 7-1 (11-12) Held up behind, headway on long run before 4 out, went 2nd and poised to challenge turning in, led 3 out, 4 lengths clear last, ridden and idled badly flat, just held on (last 2 fences in back straight omitted), won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Frankie Ballou (10-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.

Fort Gabriel (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Held up on outside, jumped left at times, lost place 7th, effort 9th, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Vinnie The Hoddie (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Hey Bud 7-1 (12-1) Raced keenly, patiently ridden in rear, steady headway 10th, closer in 4th after 13th, stayed on same pace 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 33 3/4l behind Indian Brave (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Feb.

Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Disputed lead until tracked leader after 3rd, led 7th, headed before 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 34l behind Ultimatum Du Roy (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.

Victarion (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Raced widest, held up tracking leaders, not fluent 3rd, challenging for 2nd when bad mistake 4 out, not recover, pulled up after 2 out, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Aug.

Raven's Tower (USA) 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 6th, outpaced 3 out, well beaten 5th before last, 5th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Tikkinthebox (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Parlour Maid 22-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Tudors Treasure (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.

Alexander The Grey 3-1jfav (11-4) Mid-division, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, not fluent 5th, closed from 6th, challenged next, every chance when mistake 3 out, mistake next, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 21l behind Raecius Felix (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Romanor 8-1 (11-7) Behind, mistake 7th, headway when mistake 10th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Top Man (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Oct.

Illuminated Beauty (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, slow next, hampered 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 17 1/2l behind Vinnie The Hoddie (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Dylanseoghan (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Close up, mistake 2nd, ridden and outpaced 4 out, slow next, 4th of 5, dist behind Eclair De Guye (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.