Verdict

Kastani Beach won a point-to-point in the autumn but has yet to make the frame under Rules. Man Of Leisure has been knocking on the door lately, but is creeping up the weights again and Admiral Blake was still beaten 10 lengths when second at Lingfield last time, though will probably handle this ground better than most. Three of POSH EMILY's four career wins have come on this course and, though she is probably not the force of old, Ron Hodges' mare is 7lb lower than her last winning mark and back over her best trip today. She gets a tentative vote as Billy Blade blows hot and cold and Bold Raider has done little to justify top weight.

Formwatch

Bold Raider (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 10th of 16, 45l behind If In Doubt (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.

Kastani Beach (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, prog in 3rd bef 3out, ld bef 2out & in command when jumped lft last, readily, won at Kinsale 3m ire ptp gf in Oct beating Tipsy Gypsy (12-0) by 3l, 10 ran.

My Friend Riquet (FR) 66-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, lost place 8th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Cock Of The Rock (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jul, 9 ran.

Man Of Leisure 12-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed next, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Xaarcet (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.

No Through Road 12-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Overdante (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 23 ran.

Sarenice (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked winner early, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind The New One (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.

Posh Emily 12-1 (10-5) Always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 11, 25l behind Islandmagee (11-2) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.

Billy Blade 12-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Dream Again Boys (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.

Venir Rouge 14-1 (11-6) Raced wide, chased leader until 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 33l behind Home Run (10-10) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) sft in Dec.

Revaader 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, modest 4th, 4th of 8, well behind Arrayan (11-10) at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) hvy.

Sumdancer (NZ) 33-1 (9-11) Behind, jumped right 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 26l behind Kilkenny All Star (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.

Spirit of Lake (IRE) 28-1 (10-1) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent 4th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 13, 31l behind Spanish Arch (11-9) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Admiral Blake 7-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, chased leaders next, led soon after 3 out, ridden and already headed when hit 2 out, no chance with winner between last 2, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Farbreaga (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.