Verdict

Cracking Cliche and Queen of The Bees are interesting newcomers here but, with no fewer than four last time out winners in the field, this looks a decent contest and the vote goes to Debut, who is marginally preferred to Maggie Mathias and Princess Flame. The selection was good value for his debut success at Fontwell under softish ground last month and Nicky Henderson's mare, who should improve for the longer trip today, is taken to follow up. The Seamus Mullins-trained Haligreen may be open to more improvement but looks to have more to do than when winning at Plumpton when last seen in October. Maggie Mathias has won her last two starts and could make it a hat-trick today but a double penalty and the general form of Brendan Powell's horses has to be of concern. Tony Newcombe's Princess Flame was good value for her Fontwell victory this month and cannot be ruled out but this looks tougher and Debut is taken to win again.

Formwatch

Maggie Mathias (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Led for 3f, stayed front rank, led 6f out, hard pressed and kept on gamely final 2f, won at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) hvy in Nov beating High Life (10-12) by a hd, 9 ran.

Debut (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out, in command final furlong, ridden out, won at Fontwell 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) gs in Dec beating Poker Queen (10-12) by 3l, 12 ran.

Haligreen (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Pulled hard in touch, led 5f out, joined and pressed over 1f out, ridden to assert inside final furlong, won at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct beating Lady Roania (10-7) by 1l, 11 ran.

Princess Flame (GER) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, joined leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Fontwell 1m 6f mrs nhf (6) sft beating Owlesbury Dream (11-3) by 14l, 16 ran.

Adorably Adorable (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden 7f out, weakened 4f out, last of 14, well behind West Ridge (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.

Arctic Magic (IRE) Saddlers' Hall mare, half-sister to 3 winners over fences including the smart Certainly Strong.

Cracking Cliche Classic Cliche mare, half-sister to numerous winners on the Flat and over jumps.

Dame Maggie Karinga Bay mare, full sister to bumper and chase winner Earl's Kitchen.

Heebie Jeebie 33-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, held up mid-division, some headway over 3f out, ridden and chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Crashtown Hall (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.

Queen of The Bees (IRE) Bob Back mare out of winning stayer Queen of Bakla.

See Me Fly Alflora mare out of a lightly-raced mare.

Kentford Mist 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4f out, soon ridden, one pace final 2f, 7th of 18, 9l behind Fiddling Again (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (5) sft in Dec.

Marsh Court Overbury filly out of a lightly-raced mare.

Thebelloftheball 16-1 (10-2) Prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 3f out, stayed on one pace after, 3rd of 13, 19l behind Quartano (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.