Verdict

Those near the foot of the weights could dominate this veterans’ handicap. Sir Ivan placed in the final of last season’s series at Sandown early last month and is only a pound higher. Beau Bay has been stepped up to 3m recently though has yet to prove he really stays but Late Romantic won over further at Haydock and was then fifth in a Grade 3 over 3m5f at Warwick so looks one for the shortlist. BOBO MAC produced a fine run in the Welsh Grand National five weeks ago after finishing third in a trial for that race earlier at Chepstow and he’ll have his ground today. Yalltari has been steadily coming to hand and is very well treated nowadays so looks a threat.

Formwatch

West Approach 8-1 (11-0) In touch, not much room and lost place 14th, pushed along 15th, well behind 17th, pulled up after 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.

Hogan's Height (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 8th, some headway 4 out, soon well beaten, 5th of 11, 29 1/4l behind Potters Hedger (10-8) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.

Acting Lass (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed of 9th, pulled up before 4 out, at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Another Venture (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, went left 8th, fell 10th, at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.

Royal Vacation (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Ran in snatches, slight lead until 2nd, chased leaders, lost place 8th, blundered 18th, tailed off, pulled up before 19th, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.

Soupy Soups (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Towards rear, not fluent 4th, mistake next, last 7th, tailed off 10th, soon pulled up, at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Late Romantic (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, mistake 14th, headway 18th, not fluent 4 out, soon switched right, no extra 2 out, 5th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Notachance (10-5) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.

Beau Bay (FR) 28-1 (11-0) Never closer than mid-division, 6th of 11, 15l behind Double Shuffle (11-2) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.

Sir Ivan 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out until ridden run-in, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Seeyouatmidnight (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Yalltari 11-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway from 11th, closed and went 3rd from 2 out, lost 3rd flat, kept on, 4th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Enqarde (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Bobo Mac (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, mistake 11th, headway after 18th, disputing 3rd when not fluent 3 out, beaten next, 6th of 18, 9l behind Secret Reprieve (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) sft in Jan.