Verdict

It will be interesting to see what Dramatic Quest achieves back over hurdles having struggled over the larger obstacles this term but a better bet looks to be Micky Cole, who is preferred to Alva Glen and Wild Chimes. The last mentioned is hard to fancy with the yard of Philip Hobbs struggling for winners, while Noble Calling looks a shade high in the weights at present. El Hombre Del Rio has given little sign of encouragement of late and of more interest may be Borehill Joker, who may do better on his second start back following a break. Bak To Bill has ability but has shown very little this term and a bigger threat is likely to come from Alva Glen, who is entitled to strip fitter for his recent return here behind Nippy des Mottes. The vote though goes to the unexposed Micky Cole, who is open to plenty of improvement and should be suited by the drop back in trip having seemingly failed to stay further last time.

Formwatch

Noble Calling (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 17l behind Squantum (10-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.

Bak To Bill 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 25l behind Down's Folly (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.

El Hombre Del Rio (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Datito (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.

Wild Chimes (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Turaath (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Mar, 13 ran.

Alva Glen (USA) 40-1 (10-8) Held up last, lost touch after 4th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.

Micky Cole (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 14, 27l behind Sandmartin (10-11) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.

Borehill Joker 11-2 (11-8) Always behind, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jolly Boy (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) sft in Dec, 11 ran.

Big Max 50-1 (10-4) Prominent to 8th, 11th of 18, well behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.