Verdict

Lebowski, who was engaged at Chepstow yesterday, was beaten a short-head at Huntingdon so would obviously be on the shortlist if turning up here. Nothin To Ask showed moderate form between the flags but did much better on his bumper debut at Wincanton and wouldn't need much more to go one better. THUNDER ROCK went to Newcastle for his bumper debut where he looked a likely winner for most of the way but inexperience found him out and that won't be the case here so he looks the one to beat. Mister McArthur is related to three winners, two of them hurdlers, so may do best of the remainder.

Formwatch

Chris Cool 16-1 (11-0) Contested lead, pushed and headed before 3f out, ridden before 2f out, weakened late on, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Flann (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov.

Lebowski (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway going strongly over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Silent Revolution (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (5) sft in Dec.

Lunar Lander (IRE) Shirocco gelding out of Bean Ki Moon.

Mister Mcarthur Phoenix Reach gelding out of Arctic Queen.

Nothin To Ask (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway and switched right over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, unable to challenge, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Mucho Mas (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) sft in Dec.

Thunder Rock (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Midfield, steady headway on inside turning for home, chased leader over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Seven Arches (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (5) sft in Dec.

Tom Cody (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Trckd ldrs; chall 15; wknd 2 out, 6th of 13, 23 3/4l behind For Fitz Sake (11-7) at Alnwick 3m mdn sft in Dec.