Verdict

Cornerstone Lad has his ground but may already have had limitations exposed. Malystic should have come on a bundle for his second at Kelso but the weights favour TOMMY’S OSCAR (NAP). He lacks the chasing experience of the others but jumped well in the main when winning a match here last month and will know more today. Cheddleton didn’t win last season but ran some decent races in defeat and Red Rookie is talented though doesn’t always find much off the bridle.

Formwatch

Cheddleton 15-8fav (11-12) Led, headed narrowly 4th, left in lead 8th, narrow advantage 4 out, headed before 3 out, lost touch with leaders 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Bun Doran (10-9) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar.

Malystic 15-8 (11-5) Held up in 4th, closer in 3rd at 6th, pushed along before 2 out, stayed on and went 2nd final 150 yards and closed, not reach winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Gold Des Bois (10-2) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.

Cornerstone Lad 15-8fav (9-6) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened entering final 2f, tailed off, last of 7, 37l behind Be My Sea (9-5) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr.

Red Rookie 80-1 (11-4) Held up in rear on outside, switched right and some headway 3 out, soon ridden, about 6 lengths 6th when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.

Tommy's Oscar (IRE) 11-8 (11-10) Jumped well, tracked leader, pushed along before 2 out, upsides last, strong challenge run-in, driven ahead final strides, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Geromino (10-7) by hd, 2 ran.