Verdict

DAKOTA CANYON went very close to defeating Alfred Hutchinson here last month. The latter won again during the week so the form looks rock solid and Richard Fahey's charge gets the vote. Follow The Flag has a bit to find with the selection on latest running and Idol Deputy makes more appeal as he bids for a hat-trick ahead of Lean On Pete, who failed to land his attempt at a treble when beaten at Kempton last time. One Scoop Or Two is only 2lb higher than October's C&D victory and is another to consider.

Formwatch

Dakota Canyon (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, went 2nd towards finish, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Alfred Hutchinson (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.

Follow The Flag (IRE) 18-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, never on terms with leaders, 4th of 7, 5l behind Alfred Hutchinson (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.

One Scoop Or Two 9-2 (9-0) Towards rear, never on terms, last of 8, 4l behind Dream Win (8-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Lean On Pete (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Dwelt, towards rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind George Baker (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.

Dazzling Valentine 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, shuffled back over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind De Rigueur (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

West End Lad 28-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 17l behind De Rigueur (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Idol Deputy (FR) 3-1 (9-0) Held up, smooth headway from over 1f out, shaken up to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec beating Caledonia Prince (9-6) by hd, 9 ran.

Elizabeth Coffee (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Knowe Head (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-78) (3yo+) (5) pol in Dec.

Tin Pan Alley 4-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 11l behind Tis Rock 'n' Roll (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.

John Potts 14-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 12l behind Idol Deputy (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.