Verdict

POTTERS CROSS has won a point-to-point and was second in a bumper at Limerick in May. He should do well over hurdles and Rebecca Curtis and A P McCoy are always to be feared when teaming up here. He gets the nod ahead of the four-year-old Amore Alato, who won a bumper here in April, and Berkeley Barron. Philip Hobbs' charge sprang a surprise at Newbury in the spring and should give another good account, despite the penalty. Lightentertainment has a very strong NH pedigree and should prove a lot better than his run in a Taunton bumper in February would suggest but Exemplary had every chance when favourite at Uttoxeter last month.

Formwatch

Berkeley Barron (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 6th, chased leaders on inside 3 out, led and went left 2 out, in command when went left again last, stayed on strongly run-in, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Silver Eagle (10-12) by 5l, 18 ran.

Amore Alato 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, driven to lead over 3f out, drew clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gf in Apr beating Bar A Mine (10-12) by 11l, 10 ran.

Celtic Fella (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden and lost place after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Lord Grantham (11-9) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.

Echoes Of Joy 50-1 (10-12) In rear, mistakes, weakened 6th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Halogen (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Aug '12.

Exemplary 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, went 3rd going well 3 out, ridden next, no impression, 3rd and one pace before last, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Drop Out Joe (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.

Lightentertainment (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 8, 32l behind Milo Man (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (4) hvy in Feb.

Native Brian (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch in chasing group, weakened 3 out, badly bumped last, 8th of 13, 22l behind Village Vic (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.

Potters Cross 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved in 3rd 5f out, led 4f out, ridden and disputed entering straight, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 17, 8l behind The Job Is Right (12-0) at Limerick 2m 2f N H flat sft in May.

Puerto Azul (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 8th, weakening when hit 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Badgers Cove (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr '11.

Spookydooky (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Mostly 2nd until disp 4out, ld 3out & 2l adv gng best bef last, eased cl home, won at Kilworth 3m ire ptp in Mar beating Cork Citizen (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.

Tijori (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, jumped left 6th, well held before 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 14, 28l behind Creepy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.