Verdict

Emerald Royal finally got off the mark last time but this is tougher under a penalty, although the booking of Jamie Spencer suggests another big run is expected. Fearless Poet is another stepping up a grade having scored over 7f here last time, but Querido was well beaten off a higher mark on his latest start after his C&D victory last month. POLAR AURORAS was beaten three lengths the last time he raced over track and trip in November but, given he's slipped 6lb in the weights and is dropped in class today, Tony Carroll's charge gets the nod.

Formwatch

Kucharova (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, hard driven over 4f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 7th of 11, 6l behind Super Duplex (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.

Polar Auroras 12-1 (8-13) In rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, hung left and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 3l behind Garstang (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.

Querido (GER) 8-1 (9-2) Raced wide, in touch, headway on outside over 2f out, pressing leaders and edged right inside final 2f, went 2nd approaching final furlong, readily outpaced inside final furlong and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Daniel Thomas (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.

Kipchak (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Pressed leader, led over 7f out, headed 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Magic Millie (8-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.

Saktoon (USA) 12-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, not reached leaders, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Fluctuation (9-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.

Fearless Poet (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan beating Royal Acclamation (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.

Emerald Royal 9-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear, eased to outer over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Cairanne (8-9) by 1l, 12 ran.

Very Well Red 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd entering final 3f, ridden to challenge 2f out, chased leaders until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 11l behind Daniel Thomas (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.

Luv U Noo 13-2 (8-8) Dwelt towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on, 4th of 11, 3l behind Cwmni (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.

Tunza The Lion 100-1 (8-11) Steadied start, held up and always behind, 10th of 13, 10l behind Diplomatic (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Jan.