Verdict

CLOSING CEREMONY has taken on decent opposition in his two runs to date over hurdles. The slight drop in distance might help and Emma Lavelle's charge can make it third-time lucky ahead of penalised mare Tagrita, who was a ready winner at Exeter after a promising third at Newbury. Gallic Warrior may find this too far while former pointers Kudu Shine and Royal Player haven't run for a while but may still be the pick of the remainder.

Formwatch

Absolutely Bygones (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 13l behind Neston Grace (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.

Closing Ceremony (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, mostly raced wide, hit 6th, soon given reminder, jumped slowly 8th, not fluent next, chased winner after, hit 2 out, no impression and lost 2nd when jumped right and slowly last, no extra, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Potters Cross (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

Gallic Warrior (FR) 3-1 (10-12) In touch, hampered 1st, soon chasing leaders, effort 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 5l behind Neston Grace (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.

Garde Fou (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling 5th, weakened next, soon tailed off, 6th of 12, 49l behind Madness Light (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Know More Oats (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) In touch on outside, driven 4f out, kept on same pace under pressure, never troubled leaders, 5th of 8, 8l behind Tara Road (10-11) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.

Kudu Shine 5-4 (12-0) Hdwy 13; went 2nd 3 out; rdn to ld final 100yds, won at Eggesford 3m ptp gf in May beating Ann's Lottery (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.

Royal Player 4-1 (11-7) Mostly 2nd until 3rd bef 2out, went 2nd aftr 2out, 6l 2nd & no ex last until 3rd cl home, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Racing Pulse (11-7) at Ballindenisk 3m ire ptp gd in May.

Wansbeck 33-1 (11-7) Prom in chsng group til wknd 11, 6th of 13, 37l behind All But Grey (12-0) at Four Burrow 2m 4f ptp gf in May.

Tagrita (IRE) 11-8fav (10-7) Made all, came clear from 2 out, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 7f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating V Neck (11-0) by 5l, 11 ran.