Verdict

Flat winner Dubai Crest got off the mark over hurdles at Huntingdon in March but ran no sort of race when favourite at Hereford shortly after and has questions to answer now. Bumper winner Hes Our Lad wasn't unfancied when scoring over timber for the first time at Stratford, however, and may still be improving. But he has to give 7lb to COTILLION, who was taking on decent opposition when second at Chepstow and Hereford over the winter and can open his account here. Massena was second at Auteuil in October but weakened quickly and was pulled up on her UK debut at Sandown and may need more time.

Formwatch

Dubai Crest 15-8fav (11-6) Held up in touch, headway to 3rd after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 5th of 7, 44l behind Swift Lord (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.

Hes Our Lad (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, smooth headway on outside to track leading pair when pecked 3 out, challenged next, led going well before last, pushed out flat, readily, won at Stratford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Pilgreen (11-8) by 2l, 7 ran.

Cotillion 7-4 (10-13) In touch, headway to 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon joined, ridden after last, not quicken and headed final 150 yards, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Old Way (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.

Mojeerr 100-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, pushed along towards rear after 4 out, 7th of 13, 45l behind Brunston (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.

Moorlands Jack 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Golden Gael (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.

Sgt Roberts (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway under pressure after 6th, weakened after 3 out, mistake last, 5th of 16, 31l behind Rupestrian (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in May '09.

Vain Boteli (GER) 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, well behind Jeronimo Joe (10-7) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '10.

Hightown (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 14l behind Hazy Tom (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f Conditional Nat Hunt Flat Race (4-6yo) (5) gd in Apr.

Massena (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Chased leader 2nd, challenged 4th until weakened rapidly and pulled up soon after 3 out, in a race won by Kayef (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs in Feb, 8 ran.