Formwatch

Imperial Merlin (IRE) 11-10 (11-5) Tracked sole rival, mistake 3 out, soon ridden to chase leader, awkward landing 2 out, good jump last, held by winner run-in, last of 2, 1 3/4l behind Autumn Return (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.

The Kniphand (FR) 85-40 (12-1) Chased leader, awkward 1st, mistake 12th, ridden almost upsides home turn, untidy 4 out, challenging 2 out, led narrowly last when not fluent, soon headed, kept on flat, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Rockinastorm (11-7) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Lilting Verse (IRE) 13-8fav (11-13) Wore red hood to post, led narrowly, jumped left at times, headed 15th, regained lead next, faced strong challenges from 2 out, ridden and sustained duel with runner-up on run-in, carried head awkwardly but stayed on gamely to prevail on nod, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Moonlit Potter (11-8) by ns, 6 ran.

A Definite Getaway (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, went left 1st, led 13th, headed next, chased winner, pushed along home turn, lost 2nd 2 out, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Just Loose Change (11-10) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.