Verdict

Leostar hasn’t really figured back over hurdles after a spell chasing but Nikgarde was keeping on when jinking and unseating his rider after the last at Newcastle, though Conor Rabbitt partners Headscarf Lil for governor Nicky Richards in this. She’s found only one too good the last twice and After The Fox is one of two to have travelled up today from Jane Williams’ Devon yard. BARNABAS COLLINS has placed at Kelso and Bangor since the turn of the year and is preferred to the Uttoxeter third Mount South.

Formwatch

Leostar 6-1 (11-10) Close up, ridden 5f out, kept on same pace from 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Apple Away (12-0) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.

Nikgarde (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Midfield in touch, ridden 3 out, outpaced by leaders 2 out, rallied and 2 lengths down approaching last where jinked right with rider clinging on, unseated rider run-in, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Feb.

Barnabas Collins (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 4 out, headway and switched right before 2 out, kept on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Hidalgo De L'isle (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Feb.

Headscarf Lil (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, slightly hampered by rival unseating after 3 out, soon pushed along, kept on and took 2nd close home, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Good Bye (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.

Kingofthecotswolds (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Off the pace in last trio, behind and struggling 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Lord Caprio (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.

After The Fox 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, plugged on one pace, 5th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Imperial Alex (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Feb.

Mount South (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway 3 out, 3rd before 2 out, no impression flat, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Barrier Peaks (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Feb.