Verdict

MOUSTIQUE DE L'ISLE looks best in this slog of a race with The Gangerman and the improving Earcomesannie the close challengers. The pick was a winner of a slightly weaker contest over distance last time making light of his top weight status. After the race trainer Chris Bealby was confident that a repeat would come soon and with the 3rd from the race going on to score that should be here. True, he's been raised seven pounds for that victory but that's just a pound higher than his biggest winning rating. If the step up in class proves too much for the pick then The Gangerman could be the one to take advantage. Regulary competetive ion races of this standard the eight-year-old won on his penultimate start in testing conditions at Carlisle. The nine pound raise in his rating did seem to slow him down last time but he has been more than in touch off similar marks in the past. Earcomesannie has been running really well this season and at least placed in each of his last five starts. He scored back to back wins recently before finishing second of nine in a similar contest last time. Now off a career high mark it will be difficult to score again but improvement is still on the cards. The Ring is another in with a chance after a decent seasonal reappearance in bottomless conditions at Plumpton. Bound to come on from that run would preferably like it even more testing but should be close while the vote goes to Moustique de L'Isle.

Formwatch

Killard Point (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 13, 25l behind Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.

The Gangerman (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 5 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 23l behind See You There (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.

Le Briar Soul (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Mistress Nell (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 18 ran.

Super Road Train 9-1 (10-6) In touch, weakened from 10th, 5th of 13, 29l behind Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.

Super Lord (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, lost place 7th, reminder after 10th, well behind from 12th, 8th of 13, well behind One Sniff (11-0) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.

Joyryder 6-1 (11-7) Led until slow jumped 1st, never going well after, soon lost place, dropped to last when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 12 ran.

Lucky Nellerie (FR) 10-1 (10-8) In touch, led 11th, headed 12th, led again after 13th, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 12, 33l behind See You There (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.

Delray Beach (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Luccombe Bay (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.

The Ring (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Raced in 4th, chased winner 8th, driven and tried to close approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace after, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Georges Boy (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.

Finzi (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, weakened from 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Black Apalachi (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Nov, 13 ran.

Earcomesannie (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) In rear, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind What A Scientist (11-2) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.

Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) Made all, challenged 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, won at Carlisle 3m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov beating Huckleberry (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.

Rebel Melody (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 15, 32l behind Heathcliff (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.

Hazeljack 50-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 14th, ridden after 16th, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 16, well behind Hello Bud (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.

Walton Way 25-1 (11-2) Chased leader, mistake 8th, ridden 11th, weakened 13th, 5th of 12, well behind Flight Command (11-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.