Verdict

Matured took a step forward when runner-up at Kempton over today's trip and should be thereabouts again. Epic Storm, Wolf Heart and Ehkam are all having their first start of the year and have a chance on last year's form with preference for the latter while Italian Riviera is sure to improve for this longer distance after a modest debut at this track earlier in the month. MAORI DANCER faded in the latter stages at Salisbury last time but his debut fifth over C&D was better form than most of today's rivals have shown so far and he gets the vote.

Formwatch

All That Remains (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 11th, headway to go 5th before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 8, 13l behind La Pantera Rosa (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.

Epic Storm (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Keen hold towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 12l behind Thimaar (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Jul '11.

Wolf Heart (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Tracked leader until ridden 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Tonnerre (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep '11.

Muzey's Princess 100-1 (9-7) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along over 6f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 29l behind Galleon (9-2) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.

Ehkam (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, reminders inside final 3f, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Coquet (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Oct.

Ghazwan (IRE) Hurricane Run colt out of Laurentine.

Italian Riviera 14-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 13l behind All Time (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol.

Maori Dancer (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Chased leading pair, challenged and every chance 3f out, weakened to 4th over 1f out, eased when no chance in closing stages, 4th of 5, 8l behind Malekov (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) gd.

Wise Lord 25-1 (8-12) Always behind, wide on bend 5f out, never a factor, 12th of 13, 20l behind Yammos (8-9) at Windsor 1m 2yo sll (6) gd in Aug '11.

Matured 12-1 (8-12) Awkward leaving stalls, took keen hold, soon held up in touch in 4th, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Bedazzled (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f sks (5) pol.