Verdict

Mick Duggan only won a claimer here in September before being outclassed in a novice event at Salisbury. He faces a stiff task at the weights but Wolverhampton winner Be On The Bell appears to be improving while Gracious George is beginning to knock on the door and is only a pound higher than when runner-up over 6f here last time. EMULATING couldn't justify favouritism over 1m at Lingfield last time but was only beaten a length. A similar effort here may well suffice and Richard Hannon's colt is preferred to the exposed Makinson Lane and the Sakhee's Secret filly Reveille.

Formwatch

Be On The Bell 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt, held up, good headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov beating Desert Sunrise (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.

Mick Duggan 33-1 (9-0) Always last, weakened 3f out, last of 5, 19l behind Baltic Knight (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo nov stk (4) sft in Oct.

This Is Nice (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 12, 3l behind Al Jamal (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov.

Emulating (IRE) 10-3fav (8-11) Held up mid-division on outside, driven over 3f out, outpaced and wide entering straight, soon lost place, ridden over 1f out, ran well inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Blue Nova (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.

Gracious George (IRE) 7-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Tommy's Secret (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.

Reveille 11-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Precision Strike (8-1) at Nottingham 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.

Makinson Lane (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Filfil (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.

Bountiful Bess 100-1 (9-0) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 14l behind Cocktail Queen (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2yo stks (5) gs in Oct.

Eastern Dragon (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Always in rear, pushed along over 3f out, driven over 2f out, no impression, last of 9, 17l behind Seemenomore (8-4) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.

Provencal 20-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out and soon outpaced, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 4l behind Tommy's Secret (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.

Tilstarr (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Missing Agent (8-7) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.