Verdict

Any market move for Tapimix should be noted however ETOILE D'OR can win this weak race at the main expense of the consistent Nightboat To Cairo. Tim Vaughan's mare hasn't been with the yard for long but she was able to win on her debut at Hexham. Since then she has run two modest races in defeat but this looks an easier assignment and this more testing track looks as if it will suit. Danse Macabre is considered now dropped in trip and grade, Montiyra was one place ahead of the selection at Fakenham but his form looks very patchy, whilst John Charles drops into a seller for the first time but he may need more help from the handicapper before he is winning. Musical Weld has faced some stiff tasks over fences this season and shouldn't be discounted in this much easier grade, whilst Nightboat To Cairo has responded well to the application of cheek-pieces and ran well at Sedgefield last time out. At a price Tapimix could run well now dropped in grade and racing off his proper handicap mark, however for now we are happy to side with Etoile D'Or.

Formwatch

John Charles (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Wednesdays Boy (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.

Montiyra (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to track leaders after 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on flat to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 31l behind Nous Voila (11-3) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.

Danse Macabre (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 23l behind Canni Thinkaar (11-9) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.

Etoile d'Or (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Led, headed after 4 out, outpaced next, kept on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 32l behind Nous Voila (11-3) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.

Oscar Owen (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd to 4th, ridden approaching 7th, weakened well before 3 out, 5th of 14, 33l behind Sovereign Spirit (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Dec.

Musical Weld 100-1 (10-11) Led, jumped right and headed 3rd, soon eased and lost place, pulled up after next, in a race won by Working Title (11-0) at Fakenham 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov, 6 ran.

Nightboat To Cairo (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) In touch, tracked winner 3rd, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on, no impression flat, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.

Tapimix (FR) 66-1 (10-0) Soon well in rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Roaming West (9-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 14 ran.

Monsieur Georges (FR) 14-1 (10-2) Close up, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, 45l behind Meet Me At Dawn (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.

Grey Dasler (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Chased winner to 3rd, reminder after 7th, pecked 10th, weakened after next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by The Polomoche (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f nov stks (3) gs in Jan, 3 ran.

Arabian Sun 66-1 (9-11) Always behind, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ballabrook (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f am nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.

Simiola 50-1 (9-9) Always behind, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Devils River (11-1) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Nov, 11 ran.

Send For Tim (IRE) 100-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Command Marshal (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f cond nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Oct, 14 ran.

One Step Closer (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Jumped right, promiment, led after 6th until 8th, weakened after 10th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Brushford (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 7 ran.