Verdict

Ashkazar came right back to form over fences at Cheltenham last time but is rated 15lb higher over hurdles and could find a couple of these too good at the weights. Stablemate Decoy is struggling to recapture his early-season form while this trip may be beyond Ski Sunday. Like Ruben Cotter and Hills Of Aran, Extreme Impact is racing from out of the handicap but he has form over C&D on heavy ground and hinted at a revival at Ffos Las 12 days ago. CROSS KENNON has struggled against the best this term and has also been tried over fences. But he'll be tough to beat here if anywhere near the form of his win in a Grade 2 at Haydock last year and this is his ground.

Formwatch

Ashkazar (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 8th, led again 12th until 13th, left 2nd 4 out, closed last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft beating Bradley (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.

Cross Kennon (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Led to 8th, soon under pressure, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 11, 43l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.

Ski Sunday 25-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out, 11th of 21, 27l behind Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.

Decoy (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up in last pair, slightly hampered 4th, reminders before next, struggling 4 out, beaten when eased from next, 10th of 11, well behind Lava Lamp (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.

Ruben Cotter (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Brindisi Breeze (11-8) at Haydock 3m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.

Hills Of Aran 50-1 (11-3) In touch when fell 4th, in a race won by Lava Lamp (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 11 ran.

Extreme Impact 25-1 (10-3) Well in rear and never travelling, ridden along after 4th, stayed on after 2 out, strong run on wide outside to 3rd towards finish, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Enfant De Lune (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.