Verdict

We will take WHITBARROW to get the better of Stonecrabstomorrow and Dig Deep. The selection hasn't done a lot wrong on each of his last three starts and now that he is dropped into a claimer he should be capable of getting his head in front again. He has won over the course and distance previously and if he runs his race then he should take plenty of beating. Dig Deep certainly has the ability to win this but he seems to have lost his appetite for racing and he was very disappointing last time out. If he can recapture his sparkle then he would probably win this, but in his current mood he is worth taking on. Stonecrabstomorrow is clearly a capable performer at this level, evidenced by his last two starts which have seen him finish second and win. He is sure to be in the shake-up at the finish and he is most likely to chase our selection home. Music Box Express ran his best race for a while over this course and distance last week and if he can build on that then he could be a player. However, Whitbarrow is in good heart and he can get his reward for a string of consistent efforts.

Formwatch

Dig Deep (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) Keen, held up, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 5th of 6, 23l behind Kipchak (8-8) at Lingfield 7f Claimer (0-75) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan.

Spin Again (IRE) 4-1fav (10-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on no impression, 5th of 15, 11l behind Funky Munky (9-7) at Thirsk 1m sell hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.

Whitbarrow (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Chased leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Transmission (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.

Stonecrabstomorrow (IRE) 5-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, driven halfway, soon weakened, last of 5, 11l behind Dvinsky (8-13) at Kempton 6f Claimer (0-75) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan.

Castle Myth (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, driven and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Obe Gold (9-4) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Jan.

Music Box Express 25-1 (8-7) Led, ridden clear over 2f out, driven and joined inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Obe Gold (9-4) at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Jan.

Vogarth 22-1 (8-7) With leader until halfway, 9th of 10, 21l behind General Tufto (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.