Verdict

In the seller, we will take a chance on Griffen Brook, with Lord Baskerville and, possibly, Swahili Dancer, other names to consider. The selection drops to this grade for the first time but, a 51-rated Flat runner-up, he ran quite well at Ayr last time over a longer trip before falling, and this looks an easier event. Lord Baskerville ran well from a five-pounds lower mark in a similar event last time, and can go well again and, much as he holds Named At Dinner based on that form, the latter is more than capable of running well at this level from his current rating. A number of these are dropping to this grade for the first time and could go well, so watch the betting. Among these are the regally-bred Swahili Dancer, although he needs to improve on his three hurdling runs to date. Finally, Purr improved in first-time cheekpieces last time and is entitled to some respect and Balmoral Queen has at least shown that she can win a race of this nature. Overall, though, we will stick with Griffen Brook.

Formwatch

Lord Baskerville 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led 2 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Winds Supreme (10-2) at Newcastle 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.

Named At Dinner 11-2fav (10-12) Led, headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 7th of 15, 37l behind Winds Supreme (10-2) at Newcastle 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.

Theatre Belle 80-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, led, headed before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 13, 32l behind Predator (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.

Gran Dana (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Always behind, 13th of 22, well behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.

Balmoral Queen 7-2 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, ridden 8th and fell 4 out in race won by Lizzie Bathwick (11-12) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb, 12 ran.

Swahili Dancer (USA) 25-1 (10-7) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Seymar Lad (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb, 19 ran.

Griffens Brook 33-1 (11-3) With winner until ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 24l behind Lord Ryeford (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.

Sunny Daze 18-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden 5th, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Benefit Fund (11-2) at Southwell 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Feb.

Glimpse of Glory 200-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 17th of 18, well behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.

Purr 17-2 (9-8) In rear, headway 7th, led 2 out, soon clear, ran wide bend before last, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Needwood Spirit (10-2) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.

Mist Opportunity (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) In touch, hit and reminders 4th, ridden 6th, weakened quickly, 10th of 17, well behind The Wife's Sister (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb.

Ro Eridani 80-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind San Peire (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.