Verdict

Division two of the maiden hurdle looks more complex than the first, so our preference for ROCK CELTIC ahead of Sahrati and Mega Watt is marginal. This race looks easier than the two course and distance contests our selection has raced in. The first of those resulted in a solid fourth behind Tito Bustillo, but the gelding bettered that when second to another Paul Nicholls trained runner last time. Although well held in the end, Phillip Hobbs' horse faces nothing of that calibre here and can gain due reward for that pair of fine efforts. The yard should know where they stand with Sahrati who finished behind one of theirs in a handicap last time. Alan King's charge holds a rating of 115, one that should be enough to see him go close, so with conditions ideal and the yard returning to form he presents a tough nut for our selection to crack. Mega Watt is less exposed than those mentioned having had just the one start over timber. That third-placed effort was a promising one and he could win races in this sphere, but on flat form he's a bit to find with Sahrati and this may prove a step too far. Full Of Joy looked promising in a pair of bumpers but he's yet to translate that to hurdles and may be seen to better effect when handicapping, so of more interest are the Pipe-trained pair of Monreale and Gulf Of Aqaba. The last-named made a pleasing enough debut when fifth at Ffos Las and could leave that form behind in time, whilst Monreale may be better suited by this challenge than he was a modest flat handicap last time. The market will give us more clues as to the confidence behind them, but without that assistance and with Ajman looking a moderate recruit we'll return to the strong form claims of Rock Celtic.

Formwatch

Ajman (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leader in close 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 9l behind Luttrell Lady (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct (flat).

Avec Moi Ce Soir (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway and in touch after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 15, 22l behind Master Of The Hall (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Dickie Valentine 100-1 (11-4) Always behind, 12th of 14, 50l behind Cheshire Prince (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Full Of Joy (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up behind, headway 3 out, stayed on to go remote 3rd near finish, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 13, 28l behind Extreme Impact (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.

Mega Watt (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Soon chased leader, challenged and mistake 3 out, still chance 2 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 11, 17l behind General Kutuzov (11-4) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.

Monreale (GER) 8-1 (9-1) Always in rear, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 17l behind Hannicean (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan (flat).

Rock Celtic (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Always front rank, pushed along after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon no chance, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Ghizao (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Sahrati 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 13l behind Keki Buku (11-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.

Dolly Grey 28-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until not fluent and lost place 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Kildonnan (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) sft, 8 ran.

Jack Rio (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 3 out,weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 39l behind Hucking Hero (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.

Captain Walcot 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Hunterview (10-11) at Warwick 2m Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) sft in Jan.

Gulf Of Aqaba (USA) 40-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, 5th of 14, 13l behind Taffy Thomas (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Sanctuaire (FR) (10-1) 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Prospert Le Grand (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Oct.

No Sting 50-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, led, hard pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Hunterview (10-11) at Warwick 2m Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) sft in Jan.