Verdict

Charlie Longsdon has sent three runners up from Lambourn for today's card and CROSS OF HONOUR should get the raiders off to a winning start. Already successful in a point-to-point and a bumper, the five-year-old has been placed in both starts over hurdles and deserves a change of luck. Lucy Alexander's claim wipes out most of Kealigolane's penalty but he's yet to prove he stays this far and a bigger danger may be Ebanour, who responded to first-time blinkers at Doncaster last time after finishing second over this C&D in November. The others look to have plenty to find.

Formwatch

Ebanour (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway on inner before 3 out, led last, went slight right, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Dark Shadow (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.

Kealigolane (IRE) 12-5 (10-12) Led, not fluent 3rd or 4th, headed after 3 out, led again before 2 out, soon headed, hit last, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind The Weatherman (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Cross Of Honour (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Led, hit 2 out, soon hard pressed, went left last, ridden and headed when hung left flat, no extra, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Bar De Ligne (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Dark Exile (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 14, well behind White Fusion (9-11) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan.

Edinburgh Gin Time 150-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by Brindisi Breeze (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec, 10 ran.

Edmund (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 9l behind Swinging Sultan (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Dec.

Samstown 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, weakened over 3f out, moderate 4th when hung right final furlong, 4th of 7, 43l behind Close House (10-12) at Ayr 1m 6f 4yo nhf (6) gd in Jan '11.

Venitzia (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, wandered 1st, headway approaching 4th, close up after 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 12, 16l behind The Weatherman (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Creagan Bay 150-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bourne (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.