Verdict

FORTY FIVE probably did enough in winning last time to suggest that he can defy a 7lb rise to follow up here while Acapulco Bay and Tranvestite can get involved. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained selection is lightly raced and open to further improvement and he ran on well for today's pilot when scoring at Ludlow last month. Cut in the ground clearly suits and in a weak enough contest he can probably add to his tally here. Acapulco Bay has not yet won over the sticks but a 10 furlong flat win at Bath last summer marks him out as one with a bit of ability and he has run well enough in making the frame in his last three starts, all over hurdles. He seems to go on any ground and could give the selection a bit to think about. Transvestite has won on good to soft on the flat, but does tend to prefer good ground or faster and so may not be seen to best effect today, and he has also got a 4lb rise to contend with for not winning last time. Aypeeyes is another over whom there are slight going concerns and he too has been put up a couple of pounds after making the frame when last seen out over hurdles. Even so, from a top yard he is respected. Indian Blood has perhaps not yet produced the form that Paul Nicholls hoped he would since joining him from France during 2007 and he can't be backed with confidence, while King Gabriel can't be ruled out with his claimer up to help ease the burden. Forty Five can take the opener.

Formwatch

Sangfroid 7-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 15l behind I'm A Legend (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.

Carson's Spirit (USA) 20-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, in touch, hit 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stradbrook (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.

Buffalo Bob (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Chased leader until weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 13, 17l behind Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.

Aypeeyes (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Took keen hold, always prominent, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Kayf Keel (10-9) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.

King Gabriel (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 6th, soon ridden, weakened next, 10th of 13, 45l behind Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.

Mae Cigan (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 17, 11l behind Dansimar (9-8) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.

Transvestite (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, steady headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, chased winner, held before last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 2l behind King's Majesty (11-1) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.

Acapulco Bay 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd, headway after 5th, ridden after next, every chance after 3 out, beaten approaching 2 out, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sister Agnes (9-9) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.

Inchloch 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Edgbriar (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.

Indian Blood (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 6th, plugged on one pace, 7th of 18, 26l behind Show Winner (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.

Forty Five (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4th, led after 5th, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Handy Ben (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.

Boogie Dancer 125-1 (10-6) Raced keenly, led to 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 12th of 13, 39l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.

Prince Ducal (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 10th of 11, well behind Thundering Star (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.

Chilbury Hill (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.

Fantastic Morning 12-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 27l behind Poseidon's Secret (10-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.

New Rackheath (IRE) 200-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, effort 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.