Verdict

Khandaq took advantage of favourable terms to land a claimer here three weeks ago and will find this tougher, while West End Lad also won a claimer in December and looks a shade high in the weights back in handicap company. Dubai Bounty has every chance despite a 5lb higher mark for winning over C&D three weeks ago with Dazzling Valentine a couple of lengths behind, but THE LOCK MASTER gets one more chance. He was given plenty to do over C&D last time but finished strongly in fourth place and the winner Emma's Gift went in again on Saturday.

Formwatch

West End Lad 33-1 (9-7) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Archie Rice (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.

Dubai Bounty 14-1 (9-7) In rear, wide and headway on outer 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Dazzling Valentine (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.

Standpoint 7-2fav (8-10) In touch, headwaty to 4th and ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Viva Ronaldo (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

The Lock Master (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 5l behind Emma's Gift (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

Reachforthebucks 4-1 (9-0) Pulled hard early, held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, hard ridden entering final furlong, kept on same pace towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Maverik (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.

Opus Maximus (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up off the pace towards rear, plugged on inside final furlong, never involved, 7th of 9, 6l behind George Guru (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

Khandaq (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Dwelt soon recovered to lead, made rest, ridden 2 lengths clear 2f out, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Jan beating Faithful Ruler (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.

Georgebernardshaw (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) In touch on inside, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 9, 11l behind Emma's Gift (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

Dazzling Valentine 4-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dubai Bounty (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.

Sublime Talent (IRE) 16-1 (7-13) Mid-division, ridden and some headway on outer entering straight, soon no extra, weakened, 17th of 18, 33l behind Gimli's Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Jun.