Verdict

Richard Fahey hasn’t won this since 2011 and is mob-handed with six runners. Jockey bookings suggest Grandad's World and Paddy Power are expected to go well but Khelman was third in last year’s renewal and beat stablemate Tatlisu over track and trip in July. The latter will handle testing ground but both of Boundsy’s wins at Chester this year came on a faster surface. Royal Brave has also done all his winning so far on fast going and Eccleston hasn’t won anywhere since 2015 now. HANDSOME DUDE has been off the track since winning in soft ground at Haydock in June but David Barron’s charge can effectively race off a lower mark today with Jane Elliott’s allowance taken into account. Another bold bid is expected from him while Toofi was runner-up at Haydock a fortnight ago but had earlier finished behind Lexington Times and Russian Realm when the latter scored at the same track. Adam's Ale is preferred of Majorie Fife’s three runners while Here's Two is upped in class but will relish soft ground.

Formwatch

Eccleston 2-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden on outside over 2f out, never involved, last of 6, 7 1/4l behind Glenrowan Rose (9-12) at Hamilton 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.

Handsome Dude 8-1 (8-10) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, headed close home, won at Haydock 6f hcp (3) sft in Jun beating Major Pusey (8-8) by hd, 13 ran.

Royal Brave (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Reared just before start, chased leaders, challenged final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Kinloch Pride (8-6) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4) gf in Aug.

Lexington Times (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Slowly away, towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind El Hombre (9-5) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) gf in Sep.

Tatlisu (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Unforgiving Minute (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (5) pol in Sep.

Boundsy (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-6) Held up, headway approaching final furlong, switched right inside final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead close home, won at Chester 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Liberatum (8-8) by nk, 10 ran.

Toofi (FR) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Hyperfocus (9-5) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) sft in Sep.

Khelman (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Buccaneers Vault (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcp (3) gs in Sep.

Russian Realm 9-2fav (9-5) In touch, ridden over 1f out, headway inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 11, 2l behind Hyperfocus (9-5) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) sft in Sep.

Pomme De Terre (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Kenny The Captain (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) sft in Sep.

Adam's Ale 16-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Buccaneers Vault (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcp (3) gs in Sep.

Hee Haw (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In touch, headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Major Jumbo (9-6) at York 6f hcp (3) gs in Sep.

Inexes 12-1 (9-12) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 9th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Kirkham (8-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep.

Kinglami 4-1 (8-7) Always in rear, 6th of 7, 6l behind Under The Covers (8-13) at Ffos Las 6f hcp (3) gs in Aug.

Tommy G 8-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Manshood (9-9) at Hamilton 6f hcp (4) gs in Aug.

Roaring Forties (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Awkwardly away keen soon in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, chase winner entering final furlong, edged left inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Dark Profit (9-9) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep.

Paddy Power (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Behind, headway 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on same pace and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Buccaneers Vault (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcp (3) gs in Sep.

Grandad's World (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Raced wide tracked leaders, switched left over 2f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Kowaiyess (9-5) at Epsom 6f hcp (5) gd in Sep.

Jacob's Pillow 20-1 (9-7) Chased leader until ridden approaching final furlong, chased leaders, ran on, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind One Boy (9-2) at Beverley 5f hcp (5) sft in Sep.

Major Valentine 11-8fav (9-5) Pulled hard in touch, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd closing stages, never a threat, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Ocean Temptress (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (4) gs in Aug.

Sahreej (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along and no impression under 2f out, no extra, eased final 100 yards, 8th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Gorane (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) sft in Aug.

Here's Two 7-2fav (9-7) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Sandown 7f hcp fll (5) gs in Sep beating Helfire (9-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.

Suitcase 'n' Taxi 8-1 (9-3) Led and came towards stands side rail soon after start, headed narrowly over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Hee Haw (9-6) at Ripon 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.

B Fifty Two (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4f out, disputing 2nd 2f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final 100 yards, 4th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Dark Devil (11-7) at Chester 1m hcp (4) hvy in Sep.

Royal Connoisseur (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Raced wide keen towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Dark Profit (9-9) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep.