Verdict

Several of these ran in the Group 3 John Porter here last month and, granted today’s easier surface, it’s difficult to see any of Outbox, Tyson Fury or Deja, reversing that form with runner-up WITHOUT A FIGHT. The Crisfords’ gelding is generally oblivious to conditions but did win twice on soft ground last year and he looks to have improved again over the winter. Laafy should strip fitter for a run at Nottingham while Gold Maze ran in last year’s Epsom Derby when trained by Jessica Harrington. Albaflora finished two lengths ahead of the selection over 1m6f here in October but she hasn’t raced since and Roberto Escobarr returns from an even longer break, though was thought good enough to run in the Great Voltigeur last season and remains unexposed.

Formwatch

Alounak (FR) 13-2 (9-4) Tracked leader until over 8f out, tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 5, 5 3/4l behind Loxley (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.

Deja (FR) 5-1 (9-0) Held up off the pace in last trio, plugged on final 2f, never on terms with leaders, 7th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Al Aasy (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.

Gold Maze 17-2 (9-5) Soon led, ridden and edged right towards outer from under 2f out, joined over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Bowerman (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Sep.

Laafy (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Midfield, pushed along 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, no impact inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 10 3/4l behind Sir Ron Priestley (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stks (1) gf in Apr.

Lost Eden (IRE) 2-1 (9-9) Made all, pushed along and quickened over 2f out, stretched clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Apr beating Seagulls Nest (8-11) by 9l, 8 ran.

Outbox 8-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, tracked leading pair at strong pace, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead inside final 2f, headed 1f out, soon lost 2nd, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Al Aasy (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.

Roberto Escobarr (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leader until pushed along 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Pyledriver (9-3) at York 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.

Tyson Fury 20-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, pressed leader who set strong pace, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Al Aasy (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.

Without A Fight (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to lead briefly 1f out, soon headed and stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Al Aasy (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.

Albaflora 9-2 (8-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, strongly pressed leader from 2f out, kept on well but just denied, 2nd of 4, hd behind Berkshire Rocco (9-1) at Ascot 1m 6f lst stks (1) sft in Oct.

Tribal Craft 16-1 (9-1) Dwelt tracked leader until ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Johnny Drama (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Dec.

Desert Skyline (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, ridden on stands rail 3f out, switched left and headway just over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 22, 1 1/4l behind Mustajeer (9-5) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.