Verdict

A few of these have questions to answer today, not least CURRENT EVENT. He was taking on better opposition at Wincanton after a break, however, and has the beating of Niceonefrankie on their run together at Kempton in November so gets a tentative vote. Hell's Bay, Triptico and Oldrik were others pulled up on their latest outing but As De Fer can run well fresh and the soft ground shouldn't be a problem. Cadoudalas was second at Ludlow last month but still beaten almost 40 lengths and he'll need to improve on that to go one better here.

Formwatch

As De Fer (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway 8th, weakened before 2 out, 12th of 19, well behind Grand Vision (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb '12.

Current Event (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, struggling 10th, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Big Fella Thanks (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan, 10 ran.

Niceonefrankie 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway before 10th, mistake 12th, not fluent and chased winner before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 19l behind Ballynagour (10-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Feb.

Hell's Bay (FR) 33-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Katenko (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan, 16 ran.

Triptico (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, mistakes, hit 5 out, soon well beaten, pulled up before next, in a race won by Handtheprizeover (9-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 11 ran.

Cadoudalas (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, challenged 10th, led 12th, headed 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 37l behind Grandioso (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.

Oldrik (GER) 22-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, under pressure when mistake 9th, behind from 11th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Triptico (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.

Kilcrea Asla (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along 7th, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 47l behind Sir Du Bearn (11-11) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.