Verdict

A desperate contest that could rest between Nutley Queen, Loner and Bargain Hunt, and we tentatively suggest Bargain Hunt to small stakes. The selection can put two ordinary efforts on unsuitable ground behind him here and on this faster surface, return to something like the form that saw him placed at Carlisle in October. He has never won, but any decent form he has shown has been on a sound surface, so we'll take a chance on him. Loner put up his best effort for some time when beaten half a length by Ball Games over course and distance last month. He also likes quicker ground, so if that remains the case then he too can be involved at the finish. Nutley Queen finished a length behind Loner in that recent race here and is now 2lb worse off, so reversing those placings will be difficult, but she can be thereabouts. Little else makes any apeal on recent evidence, though old man Colway Ritz has potential with first time cheek pieces. But Bargain Hunt may have his day here.

Formwatch

Armentieres 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, lost place after 5th, never dangerous after, 5th of 18, 17l behind North Landing (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.

Bargain Hunt (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Raced wide, behind, some headway approaching 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 27l behind Eborarry (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) hvy.

Loner 8-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Ball Games (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Nov.

Colway Ritz 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 4 out, brief effort after next, no impression, 9th of 18, 30l behind You Do The Math (11-4) at Kelso 2m 2f amt hcp hdl (F) gs.

Nutley Queen (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, headed approaching next, kept on, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Ball Games (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Nov.

Power And Demand 14-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, one pace and no impression from 2 out, 6th of 17, 22l behind Aleemdar (10-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in May.

Karyon (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Led to 3rd, chased leaders, led after 3 out, headed and hit next, soon beaten, 8th of 18, 7l behind Ball Games (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Nov.

All On My Own (USA) 20-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, 36l behind Darkshape (10-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft.