Verdict

Pour La Victoire, beaten in a seller and a claimer in January, did much better when a close fifth in a Class 3 handicap here last week and would have to be a threat to all in that kind of form. The last time Nick Vedder won was at Newcastle a year ago but he hasn't had much racing and first-time blinkers could do the trick. WICKER has been running consistently well in this sort of grade since tackling Polytrack and first-time cheekpieces can enable her to get back to winning ways. She was caught right on the line last time, as was Assanilka, though the latter could have done without a 2lb rise. Bold Prediction hasn't won for over two years but there's no doubt he's very well handicapped nowadays and there was a bit more of a spark at Wolverhampton last time.

Formwatch

Cherbourg (FR) 40-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, never a factor, 13th of 14, 7l behind Lacan (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.

Pour La Victoire (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Eljaddaaf (9-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp (3) pol in Feb.

Assanilka (FR) 9-4 (9-5) Led, driven when challenged inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Miss Minuty (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Feb.

Hemingway (IRE) 18-1 (9-9) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Portledge (9-3) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.

Bold Prediction (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, chased leader until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Able Jack (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb.

Nick Vedder 10-3 (8-9) Dwelt towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased clear winner inside final furlong, no threat, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Testa Rossa (8-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.

Scottish Glen 25-1 (9-2) Last pair, behind and struggling over 2f out, never, 8th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Lacan (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.

Caramuru (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Close up, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 30 3/4l behind Oasis Charm (8-11) at Leicester 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.

Shimba Hills 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent and outpaced 6th, well beaten after 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Bad Boy Du Pouldu (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.

Wicker 11-4 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway on outside to lead inside final 3f, edged left, clear when ridden over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Made Of Honour (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Feb.

Spirit Of Sarwan (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly away headway to track leaders on outer after 1f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 9 1/4l behind Maestro Mac (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan.