Verdict

Iamastar wasn't beaten far in a Listed race at Auteuill in April and will have needed his run at Ascot in November. Emmpressive Lady is a four-times winner who hasn't run since February while five-times winning hurdler Ballyellis has an even longer absence to overcome. GLADIATEUR ALLEN has his jumping problems but is now on his lowest-ever mark and takes a drop in class so he's handed the vote. Come On Gruff was beaten less than a length in a Kempton handicap so has to be respected. Forecast was engaged in the 4.10 at Hereford yesterday.

Formwatch

Iamastar (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten when left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Thunder Rock (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Emmpressive Lady (IRE) 6-5fav (11-9) Chased leaders, bumped along after 7th, reminders after 8th in rear, steadily lost touch and pulled up before 3 out, at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Feb.

Alnadam (FR) 20-1 (12-0) Towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, never involved, last of 11, 34 3/4l behind Shakem Up'arry (11-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.

Gladiateur Allen (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Chasing leaders out wide when pecked 1st, hit 4th, mistake and lost place next, in last pair and never on terms after, hit 9th and 4 out, tailed off when hampered by faller 2 out, 6th of 7, 23 3/4l behind Xcitations (11-6) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Come On Gruff (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Held up in last trio, good headway chasing leaders 7th, went 2nd 2 out, every chance run-in, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Good News (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.

New Found Fame (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Behind most of way, some late minor headway, 7th of 15, 12l behind Grey Dawning (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.

Forecast 20-1 (11-7) Waited with in rear, modest 3rd before 2 out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 5, 30 3/4l behind Johnson's Blue (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.

Kateson 14-1 (10-9) Led narrowly, not fluent 2nd, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, dist behind Flight Deck (12-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Ballyellis (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistakes, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 12l behind Native Fighter (10-12) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Aug.

Blacko (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Jumped right, led 1st until not fluent 4th, weakened after next, last of 7, dist behind Thor De Cerisy (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.