Verdict

Druid's Folly did well to justify market support at Towcester but this drop in distance may not be ideal. Vancouver is getting closer and it would be no surprise to see Island Confusion go well following a lay-off but PERSEID shrugged off a six-month absence to score at Sedgefield having looked beaten at the second-last. He should strip fitter today and will be hard to keep out of the frame. The Tailgater may not have stayed 3m last time at Kempton when favourite but has shown a liking for better going.

Formwatch

Druid's Folly (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway from 7th, not much room 3 out, soon squeezed through on inside to lead, 3 lengths ahead before last, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Thomas Shelby (10-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.

The Tailgater (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-11) Held up in last pair, headway tracking leaders approaching 3 out, modest 4th before next, 4th of 8, 33l behind Vinegar Hill (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.

Kingston (GER) 100-1 (10-2) Always in rear, pushed along and lost touch 3 out, no chance when went left 2 out and last, tailed off, 8th of 10, 34l behind Brain Power (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.

Alf 'n' Dor (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, in 4th from last, one pace, 4th of 11, 27 3/4l behind Bryden Boy (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.

Island Confusion (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, headway before 7 out, led 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 13 1/4l behind Ubaltique (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.

Vancouver 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, close up, tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner approaching last, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Thumb Stone Blues (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.

Perseid (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, hit next and soon headed, 3 lengths down next, rallied to lead again towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Spiculas (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.

Captain Clayton (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up, mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, blundered and weakened from 2 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Fred Le Macon (10-5) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.

Restraint of Trade (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, kept on and never dangerous, 6th of 14, 25 1/2l behind One For Hocky (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.

Back To Bracka (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Led until 6th, mistake 3 out, no extra next, 6th of 8, 17l behind Aye Well (10-9) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.

Threebarmymen (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, well behind in 9th 3 out, 7th of 13, dist behind Muthabir (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.