Verdict
Sam Lord made all on both occasions to land a double at Sedgefield last month and should make another bold bid. He has the beating of Pertuis, who has since run well over C&D, on latest running and had earlier beaten a below-par Stanley Bridge. However, SWISS ART found only one too good at Haydock three weeks ago in a higher grade than this and Sue Smith's charge can take advantage of the drop in class and get his head back in front. Forster Street looks best of the rest.
Formwatch
Sam Lord 3-1 (11-12) Made all, ridden before last, kept on well, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec beating Phase Shift (11-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Caught By Witness (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, effort 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, well behind Tanerko Emery (12-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Tricky Tree (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon well behind, last of 6, well behind Neptune Equester (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Swiss Art (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Led, hard ridden when headed after last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ballybriggan (11-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Stanley Bridge 9-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, 44l behind Sam Lord (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Highland Love 20-1 (11-11) Always in rear, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Brave Spartacus (10-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Pertuis (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Held up, ridden 3out, stayed on well from next, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Chicklemix (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Forster Street (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, soon lost place, 9th of 14, 42l behind Ruacana (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, some headway before last, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 49l behind Livvy Inn (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (4) sft in Nov.
