Verdict

RHYMERS HA's second to Lyvius at Kelso looked a very good performance at the time and though it's been devalued by the winner and third being beaten at odds-on subsequently, it's unlikely there's anything of their quality here. Victor Hewgo was a long way behind in that Kelso event but did a little better on his next start over today's C&D while Talkin Thomas has shown some potential in a couple of bumpers. The Wayward Lord landed a Catterick bumper in November but has hardly picked his feet up over hurdles though his last two runs have been over longer trips. Irish import Purcell's Bridge will have needed his opening run over timber at Ayr last month though he was beaten a very long way.

Formwatch

King Of Thorns (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, lost touch 7th, pulled up after next, in a race won by Nuts N Bolts (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.

Nahneh (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 11, 44l behind Scarlet Fire (10-7) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.

Oscar Stanley (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 13, well behind Lyvius (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.

Pas Trop Tard (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by White Fusion (9-11) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan, 14 ran.

Purcell's Bridge (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, quickly weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Un Guet Apens (10-7) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.

Rhymers Ha' 9-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased winer and going well before last, soon ridden, kept on, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Lyvius (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.

Seaofemotion (GER) 12-1 (12-0) Rcd 2nd/3rd, rdn in 2nd from 3out, not get to wnr, ko, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Young Jim (12-0) at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp gd in May.

Talkin Thomas (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Nov.

The Wayward Lord 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden after next, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 14, 45l behind Jackson Cage (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.

Victor Hewgo 12-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, effort 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 23l behind Agent Archie (11-9) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.

Just Jordan 100-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden and struggling in rear 4 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Saga De Tercey (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.