Verdict

A tricky puzzle to solve as several of these have been in action over fences, with mixed results. One such is Semi Colon, who was pulled up here last time but is the chosen mount of Barry Geraghty today ahead of BUSKER ROYAL. We still prefer the latter, who has dropped to a decent mark and has the beating of Woolfall Treasure on his C&D fifth in December. The Reformer was well backed on his reappearance at Taunton but was beaten 23 lengths and is only a couple of pounds lower here while Pause And Clause seems better over further nowadays. So Fine's winning run was brought to and end at Wincanton last month and he may be a little high in the weights now but Ashbrittle is unexposed while Like A Hurricane looks nicely treated on past form and isn't without a chance.

Formwatch

Balzaccio (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden when mistake 11th, no impression in 4th from 4 out, mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Made In Time (10-6) at Taunton 2m 7f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 6 ran.

Pause And Clause (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 7l behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (6) std.

The Reformer (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Mid-division, ridden to chase leading pair before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Arab League (10-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Mister Snowball (FR) (10-5) 6th of 9, 15l behind Tonnins (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f chs sft in Oct.

Glenstal Abbey (IRE) 14-1 (12-8) In rear, mistake 2nd, well behind 5th, hampered by loose horse and refused 7th, in a race won by Lorikarad (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft in Jan, 17 ran.

So Fine (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, not fluent and headed at hurdle, no extra before last, 4th of 12, 17l behind Star Of Angels (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.

Oscar Prairie (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Made all, quickened clear 2f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m n h flat (6) gd beating Harry Hunt (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.

Ultravox (USA) 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, mistake 4th, lost place before 3 out, soon behind, 12th of 13, 45l behind Bally Legend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.

Busker Royal 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division on inside, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, 12th of 19, well behind Swincombe Flame (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Jan.

Ashbrittle 5-6fav (11-10) Led, clear 3rd, mistake 5th, reduced lead soon after, reminders after 4 out, mistake 2 out and headed soon after, driven and held when ballooned last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Into Wain (11-10) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.

Tasheba 20-1 (11-11) Led until 5th, stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 35l behind Shuil Royale (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.

Woolfall Treasure 11-1 (11-0) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (6) std.

Like A Hurricane (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Behind, reminders 8th, weakened 14th, lost touch 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Moleskin (11-5) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jan, 9 ran.

Semi Colon (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Always behind, struggling 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Our Mick (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.

Dantari (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, lost place when mistake 9th, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Carrickmines (11-3) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.