Verdict

Soupy Soups landed a double eased down at Fakenham last time but has a 14lb hike in the weights to contend with and is upped a grade. Theatrebar returned from nearly two years off the track with a victory at Sedgefield in November and is 6lb higher while Little Boy Boru went close in this grade at Haydock more recently when just missing out to Splash Of Ginge. MINSTRELS GALLERY has run well in both starts since returning to action and scored in heavy going at Doncaster last year off a similar mark. Lucy Wadham’s charge may prove good enough in this and gets the nod.

Formwatch

Hit The Highway (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, reminder 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Zulu Oscar 28-1 (11-12) Tracked leader who went well clear after 2nd, lost 2nd from 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, dist behind Brelan D'as (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.

Soupy Soups (IRE) 8-15fav (12-4) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, challenging when mistake next, led 9th, clear before last, easily, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Shinooki (11-12) by 10l, 7 ran.

Minstrels Gallery (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Hit 1st, tracked winner until pushed along 2 out, ridden and no impression when lost 3rd between last 2, went left and weakened last, 4th of 6, 6l behind Midnight Jazz (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.

Prouts Pub (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Divine Spear (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Kayf Moss 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, outpaced 4 out, well held from next, 12th of 17, dist behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Theatrebar 15-8fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Karisma King (10-13) by 5l, 11 ran.

Little Boy Boru (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside 8th, ridden after 4 out, 5 lengths 4th 3 out, closed from 2 out, 2nd last, 3/4 length down flat, held by winner, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Splash of Ginge (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

McKenzie's Friend (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 17, dist behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Lightentertainment (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, weakened after 3 out, last of 8, 22 1/4l behind Jaleo (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.