Verdict

Persian Gates won over these fences in November and so a big run from him would be no surprise. Maurisca posted a decent effort at Exeter last time and he can figure, but Brimham Boy and Oniz Tiptoes look high enough in the weights now. In contrast, Karingreason has dropped down to a tempting mark and produced a better effort over C&D three weeks ago, but a chance is taken on RAGADOR. He's disappointed in a couple of starts since winning here last August but today's drop in class and the fact Sue Smith has won this race twice in the last three years suggest a return to form is likely.

Formwatch

Maurisca (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, badly hampered 4th and did well to recover, soon lost place, headway from 5 out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Inside Dealer (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.

Brimham Boy 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, mistake 7th, not fluent next, lost 2nd when mistake 13th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Sawpit Supreme (10-8) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.

Ragador 25-1 (10-13) Hit 1st, chased leaders, lost place and ridden 3rd, mistake 7th, soon lost touch, scrambled over last 3, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Deuteronomy (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.

Lorum Leader (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Disputed 2nd, lost place 16th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Double Dizzy (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 9 ran.

Persian Gates (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Took keen hold, led, 2 lengths ahead 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, soon beaten, last of 2, 4 1/2l behind Ours (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy.

Karingreason 7-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd at last, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Nomadic Warrior (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.

Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 9th, soon outpaced, rallied after 2 out, stayed on under pressure, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 11l behind Mauricetheathlete (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.