Verdict

Shernando is in danger of being labelled a disappointment having been an odds-on failure at Folkestone on his latest start over hurdles. He was also a short price when only second in a jumpers' bumper at Lingfield in January. DARLEY SUN won the Cesarewitch by five lengths in 2009. He was sold to Godolphin after that success but floundered at a higher level and joined John Ferguson late last year. He may never recapture his glory days but was a respectable third on his debut over hurdles at Market Rasen and may still be good enough to get off the mark here. Soixante Six showed plenty of promise in bumpers and it would no surprise to see him go well on his hurdles bow.

Formwatch

Breaking Bits (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd when blundered went left and unseated rider soon after last, in a race won by De Blacksmith (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.

Chain Reactor 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, lost place after halfway, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Puffin Billy (11-7) at Ascot 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov.

Darley Sun (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Mid-division, took keen hold, smooth headway before 2 out, ridden and switch before and not fluent last, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Timesishard (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.

Direct Approach (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Fourovakind (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.

Hightown (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 20l behind Dr Livingstone (11-5) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.

Lowparklad (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd or 6th, headway before next, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 24l behind Fourovakind (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.

Nomadic Storm 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 14, 17l behind Miss Tilly Oscar (10-10) at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Jun.

Peterbrown (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hampered 5f out, soon lost place, 11th of 15, 31l behind Cabaret Girl (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.

Played Away 100-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, well behind Red Sherlock (10-7) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Jan.

Rogue Dancer (FR) 150-1 (11-0) Prominent, hampered 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by It's A Gimme (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '12, 14 ran.

Royal Trooper (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Leviathan (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.

Shernando 5-4fav (11-5) Led, clear halfway, pushed along over 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Foster's Road (10-8) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.

Signed Request (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Prominent, jumped right 3rd, lost place after 6th, weakened from next, last of 11, well behind Fourovakind (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.

Soixante Six 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led after about 4f, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Un Ace (10-11) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (6) std in Jan.

Tracking Time 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, took keen hold, pushed widest of all on bend before 3 out, mistake 2 out, ran on well flat, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 9l behind Utopian (10-13) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.

Whatsupjack (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden and weakened soon after, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind King Helissio (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.