Verdict

Hohlethelonely has come right back to form in recent weeks, scoring at Exeter and Huntingdon. He's still not badly treated on his best form and will make a bold bid to complete the hat-trick with Harry Challoner taking off 7lb again. We'll oppose him, however, with FIDDLEDEDEE who probably has more scope. Jonjo O'Neill's mare got off the mark over this trip at Uttoxeter in October and can defy a 7lb rise in the weights against similar opposition. Eldred makes his reappearance over a new trip but can't be discounted while What An Oscar won at Perth and Hereford in the autumn. Joan D'Arc didn't beat much at Fakenham, however, and Spinning Waters and Thoresby are proving hard to win with over timber.

Formwatch

Eldred (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden and every chance 3 out, awkward on landing last, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Ben Cee Pee M (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.

Fiddlededee (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Made all, clear 3 out until next, joined last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Little Carmela (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.

What An Oscar (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led after 1st, headed approaching 6th, soon driven, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 23l behind Mister Chancer (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.

Whenever 50-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 7th of 18, 37l behind Our Father (11-11) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.

Kilrush (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led until 4th, remained prominent, weakened 4 out, 6th of 14, well behind Imperial Circus (10-12) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.

Mac Beattie 4-1fav (10-11) Behind, headway when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 43l behind Mister Chancer (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.

Joan D'Arc (IRE) 5-4 (10-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, blundered and good recovery next, led after 2 out, soon clear, diven out (no time taken), won at Fakenham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft beating Group Leader (10-13) by 7l, 3 ran.

Hohlethelonely 7-2 (11-12) Led into start, mid-division, headway approaching 4th, slightly hampered when challenging 7th, led before 3 out, kicked clear before 2 out, held on close home, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Clever Dick (11-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.

Roybuoy 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, headed before next, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Grams And Ounces (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.

Midnight Macarena 9-1 (11-7) Held up, headway to chase leaders 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 9, 16l behind Rhythm Seeker (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.

Spinning Waters 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway approaching 6th, plugged on same pace approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 29l behind Grams And Ounces (10-4) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.

Thoresby (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden 3 out, headway next, stayed on to go a never nearer 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Rhythm Seeker (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.

Munlochy Bay 6-1 (9-12) In touch on outside, blundered 7th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Bellflower Boy (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.