Verdict

REBEL MELODY is the safest option in a race where it's hard to be confident about any of the sextet, three of whom are out of the weights. Charlie Mann's charge has revealed steady improvement in three runs to date this season but has still been dropped 10lb for those efforts. He's hardly likely to improve at his age but a repeat of a fair effort behind Miss Fleur at Fontwell last month should certainly see him in the shake-up. Septos is a stone out of the weights but stayed on nicely at Lingfield last time whilst Backfromthecongo is asked a tough question on these terms. Guydus has plenty of ability but hasn't consented to display it in four poor runs this term. It will be fascinating to see if the first-time application of blinkers has any galvanising effect.

Formwatch

Backfromthecongo (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, outpaced from 16th, went 3rd after 3 out, well held by front pair, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Trigger The Light (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Dec.

Rebel Melody (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 6th, headed after next, led again 10th, headed 4 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Miss Fleur (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.

Bringewood Fox 28-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden after 11th, well behind after 14th, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind One More Dinar (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Feb.

Guydus (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 14th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Mortimers Cross (11-5) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.

Septos 6-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, blundered badly 11th, stayed on from 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Brunette'sonly (11-4) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.

Ringsend Rose (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) In rear, brought down 3rd, in a race won by Lorikarad (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft, 17 ran.