Verdict

Flaming Charmer still has jumping issues but did win on heavy ground at Chepstow in November, as did Umberto D'olivate. Cocacobana has shown ability in both starts over fences and goes well on the surface. He will probably find a race before the end of the season but DECIDING MOMENT won one of these with something to spare over course and distance in October and can shrug off a short absence to score again. He goes well fresh and has the beating of Mister Snowball on the form book. The ex-Irish Captain Ocana may need more time to settle into new surroundings.

Formwatch

Flaming Charmer (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, pushed along outpaced and no chance after 8th, kept on to 3rd run in, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Valdez (11-5) at Newbury 2m 1f (3) gd in Nov.

Deciding Moment (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway to track leaders approaching 10th, chased leading trio before 3 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, in command before last, kept on strongly, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct beating Cinevator (11-2) by 5l, 16 ran.

Umberto D'olivate (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Chased leader until 9th, chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, 5th of 11, 26l behind Ballinvarrig (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.

Cocacobana (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in touch on outside, headway 11th, effort when not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), 4th and beaten 2 out, stayed on to take moderate 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Relax (11-8) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.

Captain Ocana (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Raced in last, not fluent and lost touch 5th, tailed off after, left 4th 4 out, 4th of 5, well behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.

Mister Snowball (FR) 4-1fav (11-8) Disputed lead until not fluent 2nd, tracked leaders, lost place 12th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.