Verdict

Only 9lb separate top and bottom weights here. Downhill Skier had Trojan Rocket a couple of lengths behind when third here three weeks ago and though the latter is 7lb better off the placings can be confirmed. He had earlier finished fifth behind Tamareen over the C&D when LASTKINGOFSCOTLAND was just in front in third place and Conor Dore's charge, despite the fact that he has yet to win at Wolverhampton, is handed the vote in a moderate contest. Loves Theme has run quite well over longer trips on her last two starts and is well enough handicapped to make her presence felt while Needwood Ridge is 1lb lower than when scoring over the C&D in August.

Formwatch

Downhill Skier (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Raced wide, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Caldercruix (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.

Smirfy's Silver 33-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened soon after, 6th of 15, 7l behind Tartan Gigha (9-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.

Needwood Ridge 25-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place 4f out, no impression after, 6th of 10, 6l behind Tislaam (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Lastkingofscotland (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Scottish Glen (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Trojan Rocket (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Caldercruix (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.

Spin Again (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed 5f out, tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 16l behind Caldercruix (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.

Double Carpet (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost place inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Libys Dream (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Vitznau (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Always behind, 9th of 12, 7l behind Speak The Truth (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.

Anjomarba (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 7l behind Rock Anthem (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.

Loves Theme (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Stylistickhill (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.

Katmai River (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Dwelt pushed along in rear, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 9l behind Fleetwoodsands (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.

Just Timmy Marcus 22-1 (8-12) Held up behind, some headway on inner over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 8l behind Forward Feline (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.