Verdict

Molotof has done nothing wrong this season and showed a commendable attitude to wear down Peckhamecho off a fast pace in a Grade 2 at Ascot before Christmas. He'll be fancied to complete a four-timer here but may not find it easy to concede 4lb to MONTBAZON. Alan King's five-year-old went down with all guns blazing behind Colour Squadron at Newbury on his hurdling debut and made no mistake at Plumpton next time. Colour Squadron subsequently ran the highly-regarded Captain Conan to a short-head in the Tolworth Hurdle so the form looks solid. Urbain De Sivola came right away from Ranjaan, a winner twice since, at Newbury in November but this looks a tough ask for the four-year-old following a break while Chesil Beach Boy will probably find this company much too hot.

Formwatch

Chesil Beach Boy 7-2fav (10-9) Held up, headway after 4th, led after next, went right last, hung right flat, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan beating Minella Special (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.

Molotof (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Raced widest of all, tracked leading trio, went 2nd 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, strongly pressed when blundered last, driven and stayed on to asssert final 100 yards, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec beating Peckhamecho (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.

Montbazon (FR) Evens0fav (11-4) Close 5th on outside, hit 5th, went 2nd before and went right 3 out, led travelling well before next, came clear from 2 out, brushed last, easily, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan beating Victor Leudorum (11-4) by 15l, 10 ran.

Barry The Barber (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 12f out, headed over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind God Of The Kop (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan.

Theology 9-4 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out to chase leaders, weakened before 2 out, 11th of 14, 26l behind Gores Island (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.

Urbain De Sivola (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Made all, came clear from 3 out, forged further clear flat, easily, won at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Ranjaan (10-12) by 10l, 9 ran.