Verdict

POLAR KITE has won two of his last three starts, including a four-length victory at Wolverhampton last time. He looks the one to beat on that form and is preferred to Mr Knightley who recorded a double at Kempton before running below par on his latest start when well behind third-placed Azrael. The latter has decent claims on that form while Beauty Pageant and Cyflymder would go close if back to their best but both have been out of sorts of late.

Formwatch

Mr Knightley (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Went left start, held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never reached leaders and no impression final furlong, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Toga Tiger (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Beauty Pageant (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, hard driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 11l behind Waking Warrior (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

Polar Kite (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division, steady headway over 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol beating Rakaan (9-7) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.

Azrael 4-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on until headed and unable to quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Toga Tiger (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Cyflymder (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 10l behind Atlantis Crossing (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.

Jake The Snake (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Reared badly leaving stalls, behind and never able to recover after, 9th of 11, 9l behind Alnoomaas (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Khajaaly (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, effort 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Living Leader (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.

Paphos 6-4fav (8-7) Led 1f, tracked leader, led again narrowly 2f out, driven clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m clm stks (6) pol beating Red Somerset (9-1) by 4l, 6 ran.

Aquilifer (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never nearer, 6th of 10, 5l behind Refreshestheparts (8-11) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Lindoro 20-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Vitznau (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.