Verdict

MY MATE MAL is taken to land this now dropping back in trip, while Pride Of Nation, Swiss Art and Clear Sailing are others considered. The Brian Ellison-trained selection was runner-up here in a 12f handicap from a mark of 63 in September, but this drop to around 1m 1f won't inconvenience, as he won over a mile as recently as the spring. Clearly very competitive from this sort of mark and one who acts well on this surface, we will give him the nod. Pride Of Nation was runner-up in a seller over course and distance last month, and he is slipping down the weights, although the handicapper is still likely to have control where today's race is concerned. Swiss Art has done all his winning at Southwell, with all but one of his successes coming over a mile. He has raced here only three times and run well in defeat twice, and as he is back on a winning mark here he cannot be discounted. Ollie Pears-trained Clear Sailing was runner-up to Swiss Art in a Southwell seller last time out. There was a length between them on that occasion, and as they meet on the same terms it is hard to find an obvious reason why the placings will be reversed. Via Mia is in decent form, acts here and over the trip, so she could get heavily involved, while money for course and distance winner Fujin Dancer would be interesting. My Mate Mal can be the punters' pal.

Formwatch

Transmission (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 18l behind Vamos (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.

Via Mia 13-2 (8-7) Mid-division on outside, headway to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Best In Class (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.

Fujin Dancer (FR) 14-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear early, held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 6l behind Sirvino (9-8) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.

Pride of Nation (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Mid-division on inside, headway to chase leaders 2f out, chasing winner and switched right over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Ten Pole Tudor (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Nov.

Clear Sailing 2-1fav (9-6) Prominent, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Swiss Art (9-4) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Nov.

My Mate Mal 12-1 (9-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Red Expresso (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp (6) pol in Sep.

Ocean Legend (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Swiss Art (9-4) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Nov.

All of Me (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and weakened, 10th of 14, 12l behind Lord Kenmare (9-7) at Dundalk 7f hcp 50-70 pol in Sep.

Celtic Step 5-1 (9-0) Led over 1f, pressed leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Swiss Art (9-4) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Nov.

Jojesse 40-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, cannoned into inside rail after 1f, behind after, 11th of 13, 8l behind Hereford Boy (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.

Swiss Art (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Always prominent, led well over 1f out, soon edged right, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Nov beating Clear Sailing (9-6) by 1l, 12 ran.