Verdict

Not many can be ruled out in an open contest, so a speculative vote is given to Local Poet, who has shaped as if he is on the way back of late and he gets the nod over Castanza, Kew The Music and Red Rudy. The last named has solid place claims on the pick of his form and comes here on the back of a fair mark. The drop in trip can bring about some improvement and he can go well for each-way backers looking for a bit of further value. Kew The Music is reliable at this sort of level and should again make his presence felt. Still, he is hard to win with and there is the suspicion that he may be a better horse on the all weather surfaces. Castanza is unexposed and is very lightly weighted at present. Hughie Morrison has been profitable to follow on his rare visits north of the border and his charge should not be underestimate with his claims. However, it is likely that the odds will be a little cramped for what he has actually achieved so far and there is better value to be had elsewhere. with nothing making as much appeal as Local Poet, who was rated 98 when he won his maiden last year. The handicapper was slow to release his grip after that and he struggled as a result. Nevertheless, recent form suggests that he still has a fair bit of ability and can give us a solid run for the money here

Formwatch

Titinius (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Held up in touch and keen, lost place over 2f out, 6th of 8, 6l behind Muzdaher (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp (3) gf in Aug.

Kirin 6-1 (9-0) Held up, headway when not much room over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Ladeena (8-9) at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.

Local Poet 14-1 (8-7) Behind stand's side group, ridden 3f out, some headway well over 1f out, one pace, 8th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Balakiref (8-7) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sept.

Zhitomir 9-1 (9-1) Slowly away, always behind, 12th of 14, 17l behind Zanjeer (8-12) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.

Ulysees (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Blonde Streak (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gd in Sept.

Bridgewater Boys 16-1 (8-12) Always behind far side, 13th of 20, 9l behind Tony Tie (9-1) at Newcastle 1m hcp 45-70 (5) gf in Sept.

Azreme 11-1 (8-13) Mid-division,ridden 2f out, stayed on finalfurlong, 5th of 13, 10l behind Baylaw Star (9-8) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gs in Aug.

Castanza 20-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Midcap (8-12) by 3l, 13 ran.

Vienna's Boy (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 13, 5l behind Councellor (9-1) at Epsom 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.

Locombe Hill (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 8l behind Zanjeer (8-12) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.

Kew The Music 7-2 (8-12) Missed break, behind until headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Gifted Flame (9-12) at Carlisle 7f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.

Riska King 33-1 (9-7) Always behind, last of 11, 15l behind Ballycroy Girl (8-7) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gf in Aug.

Stellite 4-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sept beating QuanM

Red Rudy 6-1 (8-8) Towards rear stand side, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 20, 2 1/2l behind Tony Tie (9-1) at Newcastle 1m hcp 45-70 (5) gf in Sept.

Heversham (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Always behind stand side, 19th of 20, well behind Tony Tie (9-1) at Newcastle 1m hcp 45-70 (5) gf in Sept.