Verdict

Plenty in this two mile handicap have something to prove but ZUWAAR looks under a nice weight these days and we side with Mick Easterby's runner ahead of Dazzling Begum while Jeer will have to improve for this step up in trip to get involved. Twice successful over course and distance the selection has little to prove in regards to stamina and races under a burden well below that of his last win. He's been putting in some good efforts under heavier marks in recent starts so could capitalise on a nice opportunity. Dazzling Begum is yet to win over this far but has hinted in the past that he will get this test. He's racing off a fair enough mark and is one of the more likely in this line-up. Jeer hasn¿t attempted a trip anything like this in the past and it's not obvious that he'll benefit for it while George Baker's German import Meridas makes his UK Flat debut after some encouraging efforts over timber so he should at least be staying on at the finish. Not all of the runners here will stay the trip but that's not a problem for Zuwaar who has a good chance in this contest.

Formwatch

Jeer (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Led, took keen hold, headed over 9f out, tracked leaders, went 2nd well over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sircozy (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Zuwaar 9-2 (9-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Calculating (9-0) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.

Nakoma (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In touch, hard ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 5l behind King Red (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Heredias (GER) 16-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 17l behind Acknowledgement (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Dazzling Begum 12-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 20l behind Dart (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.

Dawn At Sea 33-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, ridden and behind 3f out, 12th of 13, 27l behind Bold Bobby Be (9-7) at Bath 1m 5f hcap (6) gd in Oct '08.

Spiritonthemount (USA) 50-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon handy, led over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, headed just inside final 2f, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Dani's Girl (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Wee Ziggy 66-1 (9-11) Awkward start, slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 4f out, wide, effort over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Court Princess (10-13) at Lingfield 2m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) pol in Dec.