Verdict

Nacarat boasts a tremendous record in the Grade 3 contest having won in 2009 and been placed in the two most recent renewals, though he was behind veteran Mount Oscar 12 months ago and re-opposes on identical terms. The latter was pulled up when Consigliere finished third at Haydock last month, however, and is one of several of these who have never won over the 3m trip. That list also includes the aforementioned Consigliere, Hector's Choice, Royal Charm, Fiendish Flame and Deep Purple, though the latter scored over 3m5f at Sandown on his reappearance to dispel any stamina doubts and this track is relatively easy. PLANET OF SOUND won the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown in 2010 and ran a tremendous race to finish second to Carruthers in the Hennessy at Newbury in November. A classy performer, he can add to Philip Hobbs' three wins in this in the last 10 years, though the unexposed Michel Le Bon could be a fly in the ointment if fully wound-up.

Formwatch

Planet of Sound 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, stayed on under pressure, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Carruthers (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.

Deep Purple 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 19th, headway approaching 3 out, led when not fluent last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Dec beating Do It For Dalkey (10-0) by 3l, 8 ran.

Nacarat (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Led to after 2nd, remained in touch, lost place 5 out, weakened after next, 5th of 7, 41l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.

Fiendish Flame (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Made all, blundered 4th, hit 6th and 9th, drew clear from 4 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Jan beating Premier Sagas (11-7) by 9l, 11 ran.

Hector's Choice (FR) 9-1 (11-5) In touch in 6th, headway on inside to lead 8th, headed after 10th, chased winner until slight stumble and dropped to 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace after, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Tatenen (11-3) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.

Consigliere (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inside, switched outside 10th, chased winner 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, 4 lengths down when not fluent last, no impression when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind According To Pete (11-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.

Royal Charm (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 7th, behind and struggling 3 out, 7th of 10, 22l behind Smad Place (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Jan.

Sarando 28-1 (10-5) Prominent early, behind from 4th, in rear and struggling 6th, never a factor, 11th of 18, 30l behind Bourne (9-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs.

Michel Le Bon (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 4th until next, stayed close up, blundered 16th, hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 18, 19l behind Carruthers (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.

Mount Oscar (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, mistakes 6th and 11th, headway after 13th, led briefly approaching 3 out, 3rd and beaten before last, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Painter Man (9-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.