Verdict

Mohayer gets the confident vote here with Smoothly Does It and Soubriquet rating the main dangers. The selection has been in good form off late without winning but a reproduction of his latest second behind Five Dream looks rock solid and off the same mark under similar conditions he is hard to oppose. Smoothly Does It rates the main danger as he won his last two races in good style when last seen but his best form is on a slightly better ground and he may just need the run after a 395 day break. Sourbriquet is another that could go well on his latest second behind Inch High but only 1 win in 20 starts bis off putting. Storm Prospect will relish conditions but has shown little of late. Of the others Strath Gallant beat Ah Ya time out but enters handicaps off what looks a high enough mark while Alternator looks as if he needs a longer trip and with this in mind for the winner we return to Mohayer who will be hard to beat.

Formwatch

Mohayer (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Five Dream (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.

Alternator (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 8th, led soon after 3 out, headed before next, soon outpaced, 4th of 15, 7l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.

Strath Gallant 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, joined briefly after last, stayed on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl frm in Oct beating Ah Ya Boy Ya (11-2) by a nk, 9 ran.

Smoothly Does It 11-8fav (9-12) Held up, headway 4th, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan '07 beating The Hairy Lemon (10-9) by 5l, 7 ran.

Soubriquet (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 5th, chased winner from 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Inch High (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.

Storm Prospect 6-1 (11-6) Held up, outpaced 4 out, staying on same pace when blundered last, 4th of 13, 16l behind Inch High (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.

Radar (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 4th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 13, 23l behind Inch High (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.

Macchiato 28-1 (10-8) In touch, blundered 4th, outpaced when stumbled approaching 4 out, soon behind, 12th of 15, well behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.