Verdict

None of these fill one with confidence but VALDAN had been in decent form before a poor effort dropped back in trip last time. He had El Libertador and Lucas Pitt behind when scoring over C&D in November and Jamie Spencer's presence in the saddle suggests much better is expected here. Spartan King has claims on last week's third at Wolverhampton and Cantor wasn't beaten far at this track back in August. Rose Aurora is another C&D winner but she's 10lb higher today and ran a shocker last time.

Formwatch

Sumani (FR) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 17l behind Bennelong (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.

Venir Rouge 16-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on, never nearer, 4th of 13, 12l behind Green Lightning (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.

Missionaire (USA) 20-1 (9-8) Held up in mid-division, pushed along and headway over 3f out, went modest 4th over 1f out until weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 17l behind Lisahane Bog (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.

Rodrigo De Freitas (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Raced wide mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 14l behind Kames Park (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.

Laconicos (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Soon prominent, led after 3f, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Resplendent Alpha (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Rose Aurora 11-2 (8-10) Tracked leader until weakened quickly approaching 2f out, last of 10, 21l behind Kames Park (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.

Valdan (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Dwelt in touch, weakened 4f out, last of 13, 34l behind Archie Rice (11-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.

El Libertador (USA) 14-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 17l behind Jamarjo (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Raghdaan 12-1 (9-2) In touch, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 14, 41l behind Spahi (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.

Lucas Pitt 33-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 18l behind Jamarjo (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Spartan King (IRE) 15-2 (8-2) Dwelt, behind, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left under pressure, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Thundering Home (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.

Cantor 3-1fav (8-11) Towards rear, reminders early, never a factor, 5th of 13, 6l behind Appyjack (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Sep.

Now 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 20l behind Jamarjo (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Warrior Nation (FR) 100-1 (9-11) Dwelt held up, some headway over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 16l behind Galiotto (10-4) at Lingfield 2m am hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.