Verdict

DOVILS DATE was outclassed in a Grade 2 race at Cheltenham last time but won nicely at Musselburgh on his hurdling bow before that. A conditional negates a big chunk of his 6lb penalty and Tim Vaughan's charge gets the nod ahead of Pistol. The latter made a promising start to his hurdling career when second at Newbury in November and that looks superior form to While You Wait's latest effort as he was beaten a distance despite also finishing runner-up. The selection's stablemate Sash Of Honour has his first shot at hurdling and is rated higher on the Flat than My Boy Ginger, who unseated at Plumpton on his debut.

Formwatch

Dovils Date 14-1 (11-2) In touch, hit 3rd, headway to chase leaders 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th and no chance when blundered next, went modest 4th post, 4th of 8, 36l behind Far West (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo hdl (1) sft in Nov.

My Boy Ginger 9-2 (10-9) Tracked winner, mistake 2nd, ducked right and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Sir Fredlot (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo hdl (4) hvy, 4 ran.

Pistol (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent and lost place 2nd, closed 4th, jumped left 3 out, went left again last, soon went 2nd, edged right flat, held by winner towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Vasco D'ycy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) sft in Nov.

Sash Of Honour (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chased winner, edged right and ridden inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Openly (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct (flat).

While You Wait (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance briefly after 2 out, no chance with winner approaching last, 2nd of 11, 33l behind Dollar Bill (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.