Verdict

M J Woodward and Sophie's Beau behind when successful over this trip at Catterick in October and was tackling a longer trip when beaten here last month. Fellow three-year-old Trending could figure with Raul Da Silva taking off 3lb while Loyal Royal must have every chance dropped a pound since a close-up fourth at Lingfield, though the shorter trip may not be in his favour. SALLY'S SWANSONG blew the start here last time but she won twice over C&D in September and there's nothing between here and Loyal Royal on later running - she gets a tentative vote.

Formwatch

Trending (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up and behind, headway on inside over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Dark Lane (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.

Athwaab 8-1 (9-6) Held up, hampered 5f out, struggling over 2f out, 9th of 11, 10l behind Commanche (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

M J Woodward 33-1 (9-3) Led, joined 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Balti's Sister (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.

Loyal Royal (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Keen towards rear, headway over 1f out, every chance just inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Rich Again (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Scommettitrice (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Tracked elader, outpaced halfway, rallied over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Liberal Lady (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Sally's Swansong 14-1 (9-0) Went left start held up, headway 2f out, ridden and no impression, 5th of 11, 5l behind Passionada (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.

Ryedale Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, ridden 3f out, 8th of 9, 13l behind Nant Saeson (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol.

Sophie's Beau (USA) 33-1 (8-0) Went right start, tracked leader far side trio, took keen hold, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on stand side leaders, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind M J Woodward (8-12) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.

Forever Janey 66-1 (8-7) Always behind stand side, last of 15, 16l behind Rock On Candy (9-0) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.