Verdict

In the finale, Bleak House gets the call ahead of Arctic Ghost and The Long Fella. The selection showed plenty of promise when second in a 13-furlong bumper at Doncaster on his debut. A half-brother to a couple of bumper winners, normal improvement from that run should see him go well today. Arctic Ghost comes into things based on his course and distance second to Mumbles Head last time. He is a nicely-bred type although, admittedly, his future lies over fences. In that race just referred to, he had The Saltire Tiger six lengths behind him, while Sea Cadet, Lily Tara and Over The Odds have even more to find. The Long Fella was only beaten a head on his 14-furlong Wetherby bumper debut and he holds claims, although the potential downside is that he has not raced for over a year. The others either need to improve or look unlikely to win at the first time of asking which, in turn, brings us back to the selection, which is Bleak House.

Formwatch

Arctic Ghost 22-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Mumbles Head (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan.

The Longfella 15-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 14, 13l behind Sotovik (11-0) at Carlisle 1m 6f 4yo nhf (H) sft in Feb '05.

The Saltire Tiger 25-1 (11-0) In touch, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 14, 9l behind Mumbles Head (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan.

Tiger Rock 40-1 (11-1) Chased leader until over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 6th of 10, 29l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Jan.

Madam Killeshandra 16-1 (10-5) Behind until stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 6th of 14, 17l behind Mumbles Head (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan.

Bleak House (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 18, nk behind Dand Nee (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 5f nhf (H) gf in Dec.

Sea Cadet 33-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden halfway, kept on final 3f, no impression, 5th of 14, 25l behind Alfie Flits (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4yo nhf (6) gs in Jan.

The Gleaner 25-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Stagecoach Opal (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) sft.