Verdict

WIND PLACE AND SHO has gone up 3lb since a recent course and distance second but has shown more than enough to suggest he can win a race like this. Chieftain's Choice was chasing in the summer but returns to hurdling on a fair enough mark, though hasn’t raced since August. Billy Hicks is on a hat-trick but has an even longer absence to overcome and Dartagnan Le Dun is having a first run for Alex Hales having failed to win in France. Catchin Time was behind the selection on his reappearance but will strip fitter today.

Formwatch

Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, slow 5th, went 3rd halfway, under pressure 3 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 4, 15 1/4l behind Chitu (11-8) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Aug.

Dartagnan Le Dun (FR) (10-3) 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Demi Sang (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 1f hcp hvy in Sep.

Morianour (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Buckhorn Timothy (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.

Billy Hicks 9-4 (11-11) Tracked leader, led 3 out, 2 lengths clear last, driven and idled closing stages, held on neat finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Braw Angus (11-10) by 3/4l, 5 ran.

Wind Place And Sho 4-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, good headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, every chance run-in, no extra near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Balgemmois (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Catchin Time (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, good headway on outside and every chance 3 out, went 3rd soon after, hung right and weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Balgemmois (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Alpha Indi (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 9th of 11, 32l behind Manny Owens (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.

Caviar D'Allen (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Prominent, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 13, 32l behind Padleyourowncanoe (10-1) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.