Verdict

Way Back When is knocking on the door and had Genny Wren well adrift when runner-up to Alverstone at Warwick last time. Sam Waley-Cohen's mount looks a better bet than Alan King's other runner, Tsarinova. Taunton fourth China Sky has scope for improvement but Didbrook is probably best watched after a lay-off and more interesting is Irish raider Apalachicola, who had just hit the front when falling at the second-last at Thurles in November. DREAM FUNCTION gets the nod here, however, on the basis that the switch to hurdling is likely to bring about massive improvement. Philip Hobbs' mare is a full sister to the stable's classy hurdler/chaser Captain Chris and two runs in bumpers should have taught her enough to make a winning start over timber.

Formwatch

Apalachicola (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Prominent, on terms approaching 3 out, soon led, ridden when fell next, in a race won by Quiet Thought (10-8) at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl sft in Nov, 18 ran.

Arctic Fashion (IRE) Milan mare out of Penguin.

Big Knickers 18-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, never a factor, 8th of 12, well behind Al Ferof (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan.

China Sky (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in last trio, mistake and reminder 4th, headway 6th, 3rd before 3 out, soon no chance with leading duo, weakened to 4th flat, tailed off, 4th of 10, 34l behind Seren Cwmtudu (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Didbrook 11-2 (10-2) Led 1st, headed before 6th, pressed leader, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 45l behind Get It On (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.

Dream Function (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, stayed on under pressure, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Kaffie (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m mrs N H flat (5) sft in Jan.

Genny Wren 25-1 (10-12) In touch, outpaced 7th, soon no chance with leaders, left remote 3rd last, 3rd of 12, 32l behind Alverstone (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Lady Exe 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 9f out, well behind 6f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Semi Colon (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) sft in Nov.

Lost Two Stars (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Behind, headway to poor 4th before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 12, 31l behind Lucy's Perfect (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Menepresents (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Close up, struggling towards rear halfway, tailed off, 14th of 20, well behind African Broadway (11-2) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.

Poshki 8-1 (11-0) Bhnd til pu 12, in a race won by Diamondaire (12-0) at Cothelstone 2m 4f ptp gf in Apr, 11 ran.

Some Secret 50-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, pushed along in modest 8th after 5th, blundered 3 out, stayed on bypassing ommited 2 out, mistake last, plugged on to poor 3rd flat, tailed off, 3rd of 10, 30l behind Seren Cwmtudu (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Spe Salvi (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) In touch, hung right and awkward on paddock bend after 5th, ridden next, weakened soon after, tailed off, 6th of 10, 44l behind Seren Cwmtudu (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.

Tech Zinne 8-1 (10-2) In touch, pushed along and lost place 7f out, stayed on same pace from 2f out, no impression, 6th of 13, 9l behind Max Laurie (10-11) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.

Tsarinova 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, in 7th 4 out, no impression from next, 7th of 18, 33l behind Silver Gypsy (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Way Back When 13-2 (10-7) Mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, chased winner after 3 out, ridden next, left clear 2nd last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Alverstone (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.