Verdict

DREAM IN BLUE is given the vote ahead of Dusk and Eighteenfifty. The selection ran second to Sounds of Jupiter on his debut running a little green in the process. He was supported in the market that day so it is obvious that connections know that they have a horse that is capable a winning races on their hands and for that reason he is worth staying on the right side of. Dusk has more experience than most but is still winless after fifteen starts. He has run some fine races in defeat in that process but he may do better in a small handicap rather than a maiden race. Eighteenfifty is a rare all weather flat runner for trainer Nicky Henderson who has his team of jumpers in great form this winter. He is the winner of a bumper at Market Rasen back in the summer and has since run well to finish second in each of his last two runs. The trip ought to suit and he remains an interesting runner so is one to note. However for the winner we return to Dream In Blue.

Formwatch

Eighteenfifty 8-13fav (11-11) Held up, headway 7f out, led 3f out, hard ridden, out battled, headed close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Like Minded (11-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Nov (N.Hunt).

Rosko 5-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 4th of 9, 19l behind Meridian City (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec (N.Hunt).

Trempari 9-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 9f out, ridden 5f out, weakened 4f out, 5th of 10, 16l behind The Panama Kid (10-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct (N.Hunt).

Chesapeake Bay 12-1 (8-13) Prominent, 3rd approaching halfway, 4th into straight, soon ridden, 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 18, 8l behind The Fist Of God (9-0) at Navan 1m 2yo hcp 0-80 gf in Oct '07.

Dream In Blue 5-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden along 5f out, no impression 2f out, ran green, good headway approaching final furlong, ran on well to take 2nd and gaining near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Sounds of Jupiter (8-4) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn.

Dusk 5-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, every chance, no extra final 100 yards and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Quite A Fella (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.

Waldorf (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-3) Close up, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 16l behind Watson's Bay (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.

Fine The World 66-1 (8-13) Always behind, reminders early, never dangerous, last of 9, 46l behind Brouhaha (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.

Follow The Dream 25-1 (11-2) Soon led, headed 5f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, 10th of 13, well behind Gilwen Glory (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gs in Jan (N.Hunt).

Popcorn Rosie 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch 4th, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Private Be (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) sft in Dec (N.Hunt).