Verdict

TROPICAL DUKE can take this division of the race with Thunderstruck and Kirsty's Lad worthy of the shortlist. The recent Beverley winner has no issues in relation to trip and ground and with Victoria Barr able to claim a valuable 5lb off the weight, we are hopeful of a return albeit at relatively cramped odds. Thunderstruck has been a tad disappointing over hurdles and is tried in first time cheekpieces in the hope that they can reawaken his enthusiasm for the game. Kirsty's Lad has dropped down to a feasible mark and could have needed his first run back for some time. Emerald Rock is a relatively rare runner in this sphere for Tom Dascombe so the market is watched. Rain Stops Play has place claims under Joey Richards. Fitzwarren has fallen down the weights and ran a creditable race at Beverley. Whether the combination of cheekpieces and tonguestrap work again is another matter. Tres Froide has shown nothing of note this term though the yard have been in a decent spell of form of late. Terminate is best of the rest. Tropical Duke is the selection in a race where cases can be made for plenty of the participants.

Formwatch

Thunderstruck 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Hurricane Thomas (9-13) at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.

Emerald Rock (CAN) 7-2 (9-8) Soon led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 23l behind Bramalea (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.

Terminate (GER) 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division on outside, dropped rear halfway, tailed off 5f out, 8th of 10, well behind Elite Land (9-9) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.

Tropical Duke (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) In rear, headway on outer from 3f out, soon hung right, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep beating Fitzwarren (9-10) by 3l, 15 ran.

Tres Froide (FR) 40-1 (8-4) Close up, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 15, 47l behind Grandad Bill (8-4) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.

Kirstys Lad 40-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, faded entering final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Pianoforte (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sep.

Rain Stops Play (IRE) 5-1fav (10-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, some headway over 3f out, switched left, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 15, 17l behind Tropical Duke (10-0) at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.

Nayessence 100-1 (9-3) Went right start, tracked leaders, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 14, 12l behind Calligrapher (9-3) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep '08.

Govenor Eliott (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led well over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 9l behind Why Nee Amy (8-5) at Beverley 1m app stks (6) gf in Sep.

Fitzwarren 80-1 (9-10) Keen in touch, ridden to improve over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Tropical Duke (10-0) at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.

Revolving World (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, last of 8, well behind Danzatrice (9-2) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.

Byron Bay 4-1fav (9-6) Soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 13, 10l behind Business Class (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Sep.

Neon Blue 100-1 (8-6) Dwelt, in rear, came stands side and behind over 3f out, 10th of 11, 33l behind Middlemarch (8-7) at York 1m 2f clm stks (4) gs in Sep.

Intavac Boy 100-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 17l behind Monfils Monfils (10-3) at Beverley 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.