Verdict

Michael's Nook went close close to landing his hat-trick when beaten only a nose over track and trip a fortnight ago and has to come into the reckoning once again. Riczar ran out an easy winner on the Fibresand at Southwell last week and should finish closer than her only previous start on Polytrack now she's hit form, while Silver Wind and Fault both have claims on their best efforts However, VIOLET'S GIFT finished fourth on her handicap debut at Yarmouth where she came home first of a group of disadvantaged stands' rail runners. James Fanshawe's filly is fancied to find the improvement needed to land this and gets the vote.

Formwatch

Adam De Beaulieu (USA) 18-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, faded entering final furlong, 5th of 9, 8l behind Trojan Rocket (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) pol.

Silver Wind 9-2fav (9-3) Behind, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, never a threat, 6th of 13, 4l behind Haadeeth (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.

Diamond Run 2-1fav (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Trojan Rocket (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) pol.

Fault 40-1 (9-2) Soon held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Faithful Ruler (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol.

The Name Is Frank 7-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, went 2nd over 2f out, hampered and squeezed out approaching final furlong, soon dropped to 3rd, one pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 9, 4l behind Mambo Spirit (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.

Ace Master 17-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 5l behind Royal Bajan (9-0) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.

Michael's Nook 5-2fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, led narrowly towards finish, caught close home, 2nd of 12, ns behind Berbice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) pol.

Cheers 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 7l behind Know No Fear (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.

Violet's Gift (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Raced stand side, led this trio, stayed on final furlong, never going pace of far side group, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Comrade Bond (9-6) at Yarmouth 7f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.

Riczar 20-1 (8-12) Made all, ridden over 2f out, readily, won at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs beating Pulsatilla (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.

Cabal 9-1 (8-10) Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 8, 10l behind Bennelong (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.

Colamandis 80-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 21l behind Haamaat (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn fll (5) pol.