Verdict

FRIMEUR DE LANCRAY showed enough in his first two starts to be entered for a Haydock Listed event where he ran much better than his SP suggested he would. He stepped up to this trip at Catterick and, though he was a lucky winner when left clear at the last, he could have been taking on a very decent opponent. Pay The Piper came out of an Irish point to score over 2m1f at Sedgefield on his hurdling debut and will be much better suited by this longer trip. Ulverston battled to victory at Uttoxeter and, though beaten in similar company subsequently, should be suited by a stamina test. Benny's Oscar won a Stradbally point in December and makes his debut under Rules but Papa Tango Charly hasn't been seen for a year.

Formwatch

Frimeur De Lancray (FR) 4-7fav (11-2) Prominent, outpaced on home bend, driven before 2 out, headway to dispute second but looked held by leader when left in lead last, kept on run-in, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Finisk River (12-0) by 9l, 7 ran.

Pay The Piper (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, led on extended run-in, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Word Has It (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.

Ulverston (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, awkward 6th, headway into midfield 4 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Sometimes Always (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.

Barrakhov (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Chased leader until after 2nd, chased leaders, lost place before 5th, behind when mistake 3 out, tailed off 4 out, 5th of 11, 34 1/4l behind Gericault Roque (11-5) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.

Benny's Oscar (IRE) (11-11) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, cl up in 2nd appr str, prog to ld aftr 2out, kow run-in, won at Stradbally 3m mdn sft in Dec beating Blackstair Rocco (12-2) by 1l, 15 ran.

Diakosaint (FR) 150-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 2m 6f (3) sft in Jan.

First Illusion (IRE) 200-1 (11-6) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) gs in Jan.

Just Got To Get On 66-1 (11-4) In rear, mistake 5th, well behind after, 11th of 12, dist behind Grumpy Charley (11-4) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Jan.

Papa Tango Charly (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up rear division, headway before 3 out, kept on to take 4th place towards finish, no impression, 4th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Glynn (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Jan.

Walk With Kings (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) (cp) chsd wnr til wknd 4f out; t.o, 5th of 11, dist behind Indigo Breeze (11-4) at Alnwick 2m gs in Mar.