Verdict

In a seller that holds some interest, Only Words gets the call ahead of Southern Bazaar, Power And Demand, Only Words and Flemming. We have opted for Only Words because he won off a three pounds higher mark in January 2004 under similar conditions to today and can be forgiven his latest run where the going was heavy. He should be competitive at this level. Working on formlines through a horse called Armentieres, Southern Bazaar can be said to be fairly closely weighted with Colway Ritz, who is fairly lightly-raced over hurdles and does like it here, Power And Demand, who races in first-time cheekpieces today, and Purr, who seemed to improve for the application of cheekpieces last time. All four are worthy of consideration. Frankincense is also back to a mark from which he ought to be able to win, although that success came two years ago, while Flemming, who races off a six-pounds higher mark than for his course and distance win, has run well from a higher mark than that win since and, given that he would have needed his latest run, is another that is very much respected. Overall, though, we will side with Only Words.

Formwatch

Only Words (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Raced wide, behind, headway 5th, ridden 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 15, 24l behind Winds Supreme (10-2) at Newcastle 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.

Frankincense (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) In touch until ridden and weakened inside last 2, 7th of 18, 24l behind Plenty Courage (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf in Jun.

Colway Ritz 8-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 3 out, mistake next, stayed on well to lead run-in, won at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan beating Seraph (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.

Flemming (USA) 9-2fav (10-12) Held up, pushed along 5th, soon struggling, 11th of 15, well behind Uncle John (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.

Power And Demand 8-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 5th of 18, 6l behind Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.

Just Sal 15-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Moyne Pleasure (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.

Southern Bazaar (USA) 11-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra flat, 4th of 18, 3l behind Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.

Purr 17-2 (9-8) In rear, headway 7th, led 2 out, soon clear, ran wide bend before last, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Needwood Spirit (10-2) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.