Verdict

There are question marks against MIDNIGHT MIDGE but he still receives the vote in an unappealing handicap. He has to concede weight to all bar the out-of-form File Illico off joint-topweight and the Hobbs yard is currently going through a fallow period with a 0-22 record over the past fortnight. However, this fellow did land the spoils on his first two runs for the yard and put up a really good effort here last time when hunting up Not Available in a decent contest. There is more to come from Mongol Emperor but he might just need to come down a pound or two and Out On The Tear could prove dangerous off this mark if ready to roll after just over 300 days off as he has the form to go close. Fulgurix and Another Crick are not to be discounted either and merit shortlist inclusion.

Formwatch

Midnight Midge 11-2 (11-4) Close up when bumped 1st, soon chased leaders, not fluent 8th, slow next, went second before 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on one pace from last, always held by winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Not Available (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.

File Illico (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, reminders in rear and struggling after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Mongol Emperor (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 8th, went 2nd 4 out until after 2 out, hung left before the last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 10l behind Gamaret (11-4) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Another Crick 3-1fav (11-3) Hampered 1st, towards rear, slow 3rd, dropped to last before 6th, struggling and pushed along next, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.

Out On The Tear (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, travelling strongly 4 out, asked for effort 3 out, kept on same pace thereafter, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Clear The Runway (11-6) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.

Triple Trade 16-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 11th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.

Peterborough (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Mid-division, blundered 3rd, lost place next, closed 6th, outpaced 8th, well beaten before 4 out, 6th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Desque De L'Isle (10-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.

Fulgurix (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, no extra soon after, 4th of 11, 25l behind Saint Segal (11-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.

Piccadilly Lilly 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear on inside, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, jumped right and bumped 4 out, effort before 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Ile De Jersey (11-6) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.