Verdict

NEAR THE WATER can land the nightcap with Doctored and Conington likely to provide most pertinent opposition. The selection seemed to appreciate being tried under forcing tactics last time out and with this field little better than selling platers, such endeavours could well be rewarded again. Doctored is a regular in low grade events. That said, he seems to reserve his best for this course and distance. Conington's second to Cunning Clarets in a Fakenham bumper reads well in the context of this race and he has to be a factor despite shouldering lumps of weight all around. Foreign King has a bit to prove on this surface while Nous Voila was well held in a seller and is now a shadow of the horse that was winning Grade 2 events in the dim and distant past. Owain James has a feather weight this afternoon and could conceivably run into the places on some of his better plating efforts. Soft ground specialist, Posh Emily would benefit if this race develops into a stamina test. Near The Water is the call.

Formwatch

Conington 20-1 (10-7) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Foreign King (USA) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leader to approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 12, 27l behind Strategic Plan (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.

Maurisca (FR) 7-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, disputing 2nd 2 out, 3rd when jumped left and weakened last, 4th of 14, 19l behind Power Shared (10-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.

Near The Water (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, clear 2nd, reduced lead and hit 3 out, led well before last, tried to rally as winner hit last but readily held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Aegean Dawn (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.

Posh Emily 16-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 18, 12l behind Captain Smoothy (10-3) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.

Nous Voila (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Prominent, slow 3rd, led after next, headed 5th, slow next, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 47l behind Isle de Maurice (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f sell hdl (3) sft in Dec.

Doctored 10-1 (10-13) Chased leader until 7th, weakened 4 out, pecked next, 6th of 10, 28l behind Orion Express (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.

Owain James 20-1 (11-2) Close up and keen, led 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 12th of 13, well behind Benefit Game (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jul.