Verdict

No recent winning form to consider here but DUKE OF RAINFORD won a similar contest over C&D last October. Michael Herrington's charge gets a tentative vote back in this grade for the first time since with Jamie Spencer on board. Force To Spend has been placed on her last three starts over 6f but is not certain to be suited by this drop back in trip and Francis Albert makes more appeal having gone close here recently. Jemimaville, Black Baccara and Bluebok are others to consider in what looks a wide-open contest.

Formwatch

Francis Albert 16-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 12l behind Residency (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.

Force To Spend 15-2 (8-6) Keen with leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Chjimes (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.

Tyrannosaurus Rex (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Always in rear, never a factor, 11th of 12, 6l behind Loyal Royal (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.

Jemimaville (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division and keen, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Silvee (8-11) at Kempton 6f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.

Mr Funshine 11-1 (8-13) Awkward start and slow into stride, soon ridden in rear, not troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 14l behind Lets Move It (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.

Duke of Rainford 14-1 (8-8) Dwelt mid-division, effort entering final 2f, weakened 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Residency (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.

Black Baccara 9-1 (8-9) Dwelt, held up towards rear, hampered soon after start, in rear, never dangerous, last of 8, 9l behind Silvee (8-11) at Kempton 6f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.

Bluebok 12-1 (8-7) Led narrowly, headed inside final 2f, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Kheley (9-0) at Southwell 5f app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.

Spoof Master (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 6l behind Anjomarba (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.

True Red (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) In touch, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Lily Wood (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.

Sir Loin 100-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, under pressure 2f out, soon lost place, last of 12, 11l behind Ajara (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Leahness (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Always in rear, last of 8, 10l behind Mary's Pet (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.