Verdict

The previously unbeaten Darlan was still travelling strongly when falling in a Grade 3 handicap at Newbury last time. That race had been run at a crawl, however, and it may not be wise to take the form too literally. Dermot Weld fears Galileo's Choice may lack the experience for a race of this nature but his six-year-old, a classy sort on the Flat, finished well ahead of Midnight Game at Fairyhouse in December and the latter beat Dylan Ross at Naas subsequently. Trifolium trounced Simenon at Punchestown last month and Steps To Freedom gave weight and a beating to Prospect Wells here in November, though it's a bit of a worry that he hasn't raced since. Jessica Harrington's charge did beat MONTBAZON, Allure Of Illusion and Cinders And Ashes in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last April but Alan King's fast-improving gelding could take his revenge today. He may have been given a race by Colour Squadron had that one not fallen two out at Newbury last time but easily holds Vulcanite on that run and the better ground and strong pace will be in the selection's favour here. Tetlami may be his yard's second string on paper but he's not done much wrong so far and could easily make the frame.

Formwatch

Agent Archie (USA) 1-2fav (11-9) Made all, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Rock Relief (11-2) by 5l, 14 ran.

Allure Of Illusion (IRE) 1-5fav (11-12) Led after 1st, mistake 3 out, travelling best approaching last, ridden and strongly pressed run-in, joined on line, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) hvy in Feb deadheating with King Vuvuzela (11-10), 13 ran.

Catch Tammy (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Pressed leader, lost place when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Batonnier (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan.

Cinders And Ashes 8-13fav (11-8) Tracked leader, effort 2 out, led between last 2, 2 lengths clear last, ridden out flat, in command when eased near finish, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Double Ross (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.

Colour Squadron (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd approaching 3 out, challenging when fell 2 out, in a race won by Montbazon (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 9 ran.

Darlan 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, going well and challenging when fell 2 out, in a race won by Zarkandar (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Feb, 20 ran.

Distant Memories (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Keen hold and tracked leader in 2nd from before 4th, challenging when bad mistake 2 out, soon no impression in 3rd, not fluent last, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Midnight Game (11-7) at Naas 2m nh nov hdl in Jan.

Dylan Ross (IRE) 2-1 (11-9) Tracked leader until 3rd from before 4th, improved to challenge between horses and led before 2 out, ridden approaching last where joined, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Midnight Game (11-7) at Naas 2m nh nov hdl in Jan.

Galileo's Choice (IRE) 2-9fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to challenge 2 out, led travelling best before last, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl in Feb beating Becauseicouldntsee (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.

Hazy Tom (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, led 4 out, headed after next, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Balder Succes (11-1) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.

Jimbill (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place when not fluent 2 out, 10th of 14, 24l behind Barbatos (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.

Midnight Game 7-4fav (11-7) Settled last of the 4, travelling well and left chasing leader from 2 out, on terms last, quickened best to lead and assert run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m nh nov hdl in Jan beating Dylan Ross (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.

Montbazon (FR) 9-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, challenged next, led before last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Vulcanite (11-8) by 7l, 9 ran.

Prospect Wells (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, tracked leading trio after 2nd, hit 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced and no chance after, 4th of 5, 21l behind Captain Conan (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Jan.

Simenon (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Settled in rear, headway on inner into 3rd entering straight, moderate 2nd before last, kept on same pace but no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Trifolium (11-1) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy in Feb.

Steps To Freedom (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged after last, driven ahead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov beating Prospect Wells (11-4) by nk, 9 ran.

Tetlami (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Held up in touch in mid-division, closed over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, led inside final furlong, easily, won at Kempton 2m n h flat (6) gd in Feb beating Hard To Swallow (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.

Trifolium (FR) 7-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, led after 3 out, stretched clear early straight, kept on well, easily, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Simenon (11-1) by 9l, 6 ran.

Vulcanite (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed before last, one pace and no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Montbazon (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.