Verdict

Only LITTLE ELSE arrives in any sort of form. She just missed out at Exeter when attempting to land a hat-trick but returns to a longer trip today and has won on heavy going. Grove Road disappointed at Chepstow and cheekpieces are applied while Exmoor Forest has struggled since winning on good going here back in May and has undergone wind surgery. Hauraki Gulf faced a tougher task at Cheltenham last time but today’s underfoot conditions will suit.

Formwatch

Grove Road (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Ran in snatches on outside, struggling 11th, pulled up before 5 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.

Hauraki Gulf 28-1 (11-3) Hampered by faller 4th, always towards rear, 15th of 20, 25l behind American Sniper (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Exmoor Forest (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Led until 2nd, prominent, led before 3 out, soon headed and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.

Del La Mar Rocket (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 2nd, hit 4th, headed and tracked leader 6th, slow jump 4 out and dropped away, 6th of 7, 37 1/4l behind Georges Saint (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.

Little Else 10-3 (10-9) Close 5th on inside, led 3 out, headed next, chased leader, ridden to lead again towards finish, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind Chloe's Court (11-4) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Nov.