Verdict

FAME AND FUN has taken time to find his way over hurdles for the champion trainer but came good over course and distance just over three weeks ago under today's pilot and looks the safest option in a ordinary contest in which most have been finding winning difficult. He handled Taunton well that day, should have more to come after a mere handful of starts and a 6lb rise is acceptable. Kenny George is only 1-19 over hurdles and has topweight if the Gingell claim is factored in, but he has been performing consistently in similar contests and is a contender on that evidence. Drash On Ruby shaped well here last month on seasonal return and a first run since wind surgery and looks to be in with a shout, along with the highly consistent if somewhat frustrating hold-up merchant, Karakoram.

Formwatch

Fame And Fun (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Chased front rank, pushed along and went 2nd before 2 out, pressed leader approaching last where not fluent, ridden and stayed on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Couldbeaweapon (11-9) by nk, 15 ran.

Kenny George 11-1 (11-6) Disputed lead, led 3 out, ridden and pressed for lead 2 out, headed last, kept on close home, just denied at the post, 2nd of 10, nk behind Blue Shark (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.

George Bancroft 4-1fav (11-8) Chased leaders, dropped to rear 3rd, lost touch 3 out, 12th of 13, dist behind Ray's The One (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Dec.

Kalpaga (FR) 150-1 (12-0) Soon towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 3rd, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after next, at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Phoenix Risen 20-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, never a factor, 12th of 17, dist behind Olympic Honour (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Oct.

Barnards Green (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Soon towards rear of mid-division, never involved, tailed off, 14th of 15, dist behind Altobelli (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.

Darksideoftarnside (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, outpaced 4f out, well beaten 3f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Good Soul (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Sep.

Ardenay (FR) 250-1 (11-0) Held up in midfield, headway under pressure after 3 out, stayed on same pace, never a factor, 10th of 17, 21 1/2l behind Always Busy (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.

Drash On Ruby 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden between last two, stayed on well run-in, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 5 3/4l behind Gata Ban (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Dec.

Arthalot (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, bit closer at 4th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, unseated rider last, at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Jan.

Yeomen Warder (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 17, 26l behind Quick Sharpener (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.

Karakoram 5-1 (10-9) Prominent, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and no extra from before last, 3rd of 15, 8 1/4l behind Fame And Fun (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.

Charlie Siringo (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on inside, hit 1st, hit 6th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Ben Buie (10-13) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.

Ipsos Pierji (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Mistakes, went left 4th, always behind, tailed off when went left 3 out, went left and hit next, 6th of 9, dist behind Lallygag (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.

Sindabella (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 4th, going well when rider took wrong course entering straight approaching 3 out, soon pulled up, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.

Hard Frost (FR) 50-1 (11-8) Keen, always in rear, ridden and tailed off before 3 out, 9th of 15, dist behind Egbert (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.

Talk Of The Moon 50-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 3 out, held 2 out, 3rd and no extra before last, 3rd of 16, 12 1/4l behind Flintara (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.