Verdict

Apple Rock is interesting making his handicap debut off bottom weight in a modest affair. Zoltan Varga recorded a first victory in 20 starts at Fontwell last month and Tayzar broke his duck over hurdles at Warwick two weeks ago. HIGHWAY ONE is 0-27 but Richard Johnson keeps faith with George Baker’s Plumpton runner-up, who can finally get his head in front. Mount Windsor is often thereabouts but the dual bumper winner is another still seeking a first win over timber and Flintrock is hard to catch right.

Formwatch

Durouyn 13-2 (11-2) In rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake next, behind from 4th, pulled up before 3 out, at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.

Avoid De Master (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Close up, tracked leaders 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out, last of 7, dist behind Order Of Thistle (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m mdn (4) gs in Jan.

Chinese Alphabet 28-1 (9-5) Slowly away, in rear, under pressure 4f out, detatched and never a factor, 11th of 12, 18 1/2l behind Ben Lilly (9-2) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in Sep.

The Garrison (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, mistake next, plugging on but no chance when hampered 2 out, 6th of 15, 13 1/2l behind Cotton End (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Highway One (USA) 9-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, bumped 1st, steady headway 5th, tracking leaders in 3rd 4 out, hit 3 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Zarrar (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn (4) gf in Sep.

Bagan 33-1 (11-12) Held up, fell 3rd, at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.

Pretty Fantasy (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden next, no extra before last, 7th of 13, 35 1/2l behind No Memory (11-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 5f mdn Yielding in Aug.

Flintrock (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 11th of 17, dist behind Espalion (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Mount Windsor (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, in touch from 4th, chased winner briefly before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Nordic Combined (12-6) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.

Coby Nine (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 5th, led 3 out until ridden soon after next, hit last, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 8, 36l behind No Regrets (12-0) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Aug.

Apple Rock (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, led 2nd, not fluent 3rd, not fluent and headed 4th, led approaching 6th, headed before mistake 3 out, soon weakened, last of 3, 31l behind Kepagge (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.

Tayzar 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along to track leader 3 out, niggled along and reminders 2 out, good jump last, led towards finish, won at Warwick 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Cremant (11-9) by 1/2l, 11 ran.

Zoltan Varga 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 3 out, stayed on flat, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Vorashann (11-13) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.

Somekindofstar (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 11th of 16, dist behind Imperial Elysian (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.