Verdict

This could cut up badly with four having preferred engagements at Haydock yesterday, including a couple with live chances. They include Welsh Saint, who has shaped well on all starts this term and Portrush Ted, who remains one to follow. Young Bull and Kilbricken Storm are the others with a preference for Haydock and that may leave BURROWS PARK with an easier opportunity as he ran a sound fourth in the Lanzarote Hurdle last time and stays well. The unexposed Palmers Hill, back from a near 450-day absence, could also find himself in the mix ahead of failed chaser White Moon.

Formwatch

Kilbricken Storm (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leader after 3rd, not fluent 4th, outpaced last bend, soon well held by leaders, 6th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Paisley Park (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Jan.

Portrush Ted (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Always prominent on outside, led 2nd to before 4th, led again 8th, headed briefly before 3 out, ridden after next, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Grand Morning (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.

Burrows Park (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leader who went clear after 6th, closer before 3 out, chased new leader on long run before 2 out, soon every chance until pushed along and lost 2nd before 2 out, plugging on disputing well held 4th when badly hampered after the last, 4th of 13, 12l behind Burrows Edge (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gs in Jan.

Flemcara (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up behind, ridden after 3 out, never near leaders, weakened before next, soon pulled up, at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.

Welsh Saint (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, outpaced after not fluent 2 out, well held 5th last, kept on and went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Protektorat (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan.

White Moon (GER) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, no impression after, 7th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Phoenix Way (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Palmers Hill (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, headway on outside 3 out, close up when hit next, challenged approaching last, ridden to lead flat, asserted towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Unblinking (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 23 ran.

Midnight Sapphire 33-1 (10-0) Held up in last pair, bit closer approaching 4 out, headway approaching next, went 2nd on long run before 2 out, led before 2 out until 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Coded Message (10-6) at Kempton 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Young Bull (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders, challenged after 3rd, led after 6th, headed flat, led again towards finish, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Ozzy Thomas (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.