Verdict

VALLANI deserves a change of luck and her latest second to Everaard over C&D has worked out well. She gets the vote despite her poor strike rate being slightly off-putting, though she recorded her one and only win in this race 12 months ago albeit off an 8lb lower mark. Lucinda Russell also fields top weight Delightfully and last month's C&D winner Via Archimede and they will make life interesting while the maiden I Got Music ran her best race for a long time when third at Sedgefield and has nothing to fear from the disappointing Tartan Tiger on that effort. Forcefield had the selection behind when scoring at Newcastle in November but has gone off the boil since.

Formwatch

Delightfully (FR) 12-1 (10-12) In rear, headway 4 out to chase leaders, kept on from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Shooting Times (10-13) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.

Forcefield 9-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, blundered badly and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Via Archimede (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan, 9 ran.

Little Fifi 25-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, struggling 9th, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.

Vallani (IRE) 10-3fav (10-1) With leader, led after 2nd, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner approaching last, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Everaard (10-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jan.

Tartan Tiger (IRE) 14-5fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place 4th, not fluent 5th or 6th, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Stormy Morning (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.

Via Archimede (USA) 3-1fav (11-2) Made all, ridden after last, kept on well towards finish, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan beating Auberge (11-6) by 3/4l, 9 ran.

I Got Music 10-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, one pace, no impression, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Stormy Morning (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.

Hotgrove Boy 18-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, switched left and every chance run-in, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Via Archimede (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.

Jam Tomorrow (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Diamanpeg (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in May.

Sam D'oc (FR) 16-1 (10-8) In rear, mistake 1st, several deliberate jumps, always behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Sycho Fred (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 13 ran.

Parky (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear, weakened from 9th, 11th of 12, 39l behind Any Given Moment (10-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Dec.

Claresburn 20-1 (9-9) Mid-division, struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Tipsy Dara (10-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 9 ran.

No Way Hozay 50-1 (10-0) Behind, some headway before 3 out, no impression, 6th of 14, 27l behind See The Legend (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.