Verdict
Dontpaytheferryman won't mind the ground and isn't badly treated back over hurdles. Kyle James takes off a further 5lb and Brian Ellison's eight-year-old could make his presence felt along with stablemates Capellanus, Ultimate and Amtired. Ingleby Spirit and Agent Archie look to have too much weight, however, and Jason Maguire prefers Call Back to the latter, the five-year-old finding the company too hot in the Gerry Fielden at Newbury on his reappearance. Jet Master will be prominent but will probably get outpaced in the closing stages and the unbeaten Swing Bowler tackles soft ground for the first time on her handicap debut and hasn't raced for nine months. RUMBLE OF THUNDER was in the handicapper's grip for most of last year but he's starting to edge down the weights again and showed enough last time to suggest he retains some ability. He can reverse that form with Ultimate and Mason Hindmarsh on better terms and should start at decent odds for this given recent form figures. Amok is lightly-raced but didn't beat much at Fakenham and also appears a tricky ride.
Formwatch
Agent Archie (USA) 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place 4th, ridden after next, behind from 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Cape Express (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Ingleby Spirit 9-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 4th 2 out, never dangerous when hit last, 4th of 8, 26l behind Robbie (10-4) at Doncaster 2m Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (3yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
Jet Master (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Keen led and soon clear, ridden and reduced lead 3 out, headed next, rallied towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Conquisto (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Capellanus (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) In rear, reminders after 4 out, one pace and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Mwaleshi (10-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 7-2 (10-6) Led, headed 3 out, no impression with front pair before next, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Drumshambo (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy in Dec.
Call Back 8-1 (10-4) Set strong pace, headed 2 out, soon hung left and weakened, 5th of 6, 17l behind Lyvius (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) sft in Nov.
Arctic Court (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) In touch, mistake 3rd, lost place 5th, no danger after, 8th of 17, 26l behind Dark Lover (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Swing Bowler 4-5fav (10-13) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, left in lead at last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Battlecat (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Ultimate 14-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on from last, 5th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Parc Des Princes (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Rumble of Thunder (IRE) 40-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden after last, no extra, 8th of 15, 7l behind Parc Des Princes (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Amtired 9-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, closed before 2 out, every chance approaching last, demoted to 3rd when mistake last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Captain Sharpe (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Cool Baranca (GER) 33-1 (10-2) Behind, struggling 5th, never near leaders, 7th of 14, 36l behind Cape Express (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Amok (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Set strong gallop, hit 3 out and next, ridden and headed narrowly when left clear last, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov beating Hail Tiberius (11-6) by 26l, 7 ran.
Mason Hindmarsh 28-1 (11-2) Led to 3rd, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last, 7th of 15, 5l behind Parc Des Princes (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
