Verdict

Topanga Canyon won a classified race here last week with plenty in hand and could prove the one to beat on his handicap bow. However, ALEKSANDAR had a subsequent winner just behind when runner-up at Nottingham in October and, with today's extra distance expected to suit, Luca Cumani's colt can make a winning reappearance. Zain Princess has gone close on both occasions since winning a seller here but is up another 3lb today and Frederickthegreat showed enough last term to suggest he'll be winning a race before long.

Formwatch

Aleksandar 28-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway and switched right over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, kept on for 2nd but no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Moidore (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (4) gf in Oct.

Topanga Canyon 15-2 (9-0) Made most, set steady pace, ridden and quickened pace over 2f out, clear 1f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo stks 0-65 (6) pol beating Naseem Alyasmeen (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.

Frederickthegreat 15-8fav (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Maybeagrey (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.

Madame St Clair (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 6l behind Fallen For You (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll mdn (4) gf in Jul.

Zain Princess (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge when bumped just inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, never reached winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Apothecary (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Saint Irene 15-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 12, 7l behind Come On Blue Chip (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sep.

Landown Littlerock 4-1 (8-9) Broke smartly, soon steadied, held up, pushed along halfway, headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Feisty Champion (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct.

Always Ends Well (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Led, ridden inside final 2f, hard pressed over 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, joined for 2nd post, 2nd of 12, nk behind Midnight Sequel (8-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.