Being proven under testing conditions and over this trip, What A Scientist is bound to be popular with backers but Tom George's gelding does have plenty of weight to shoulder with his penalties and the burden of 12st1lb may prevent him from completing a hat-trick so preference is for Evelith Forrest with Leading Authority rated the best of the rest. The selection has shown a liking for plenty of cut in the ground and, in receipt of weight from What A Scientist, looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to resume winning ways. French import Wildbach makes his British debut and is hard to weigh up but probably best left out of calculations under his penalty. Henry Daly is back among the winners and his representative Obaki de Grissay deserves to get his head in front following four placed efforts but he may again have to settle for a minor role over a trip that he is far from certain to appreciate. Leading Authority has to be respected but is strictly held by Evelith Forrest on running at Folkestone in December and the Phillip Hobbs-trained gelding is again taken to come out on top.
What A Scientist (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) In touch, led briefly 6th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, hit 2 out, led approaching last, ran on gamely, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Pyleigh Lady (10-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Wildbach (IRE) (9-13) won at Neuss 2m 3f hcp hdl std in Jan beating Maxxwell (10-6) by 11l, 8 ran.
Evelith Forrest 15-8fav (11-12) Chased winner after 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Negus de Beaumont (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Leading Authority (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden 7th, soon behind, 6th of 7, well behind Labelthou (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Longbow Warrior 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, effort 4f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 15, 33l behind Forest Pennant (11-4) at Kempton 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Lynnie's Vic (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division and keen, ridden 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, 47l behind Air Force One (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Obaki de Grissay (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Always prominent, joined winner 6th, every chance 2 out, no impression last, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Young Dancer (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Fiesty Madam 100-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and unseated rider in race won by What A Scientist (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 11 ran.
Radigan Lane 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 4th, weakened 5th, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Phareight Dei (10-3) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
