Verdict

SCORPION BLACK (NAP) has won twice in his career, both victories coming here including on heavy ground. He's 18lb below his last winning mark and he ran a bit better at Naas last time. Sweet Justice is 0-20 but was only beaten a couple of lengths in a big field of handicappers at Leopardstown last time though could have done without a 2lb rise. Gregory's Gift is also a maiden though he's run some good races on ground with plenty of give and has Willie Byrne's claim to aid his cause. Robert Guiscard, a winner for Mark Johnston in August, is working his way back to form though his last run at Sligo was in a 6f claimer.

Formwatch

Robert Guiscard (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) A little slow into stride and pushed along, soon mid-division, disputed 6th approaching halfway, headway and effort straight, 2nd and kept on without threatening winner close home, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Is That Love (9-10) at Sligo 6f Yielding - Soft in May.

But You Said (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, raced in rear, niggled along after 2 1/2f, no impression over 1f out, never a factor, 11th of 14, 12 3/4l behind Dolce Sicily (8-11) at Sligo 6f hcp Good - Yielding in May.

Fennor Cross (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Soon towards rear and pushed along, never a factor, kept on same pace without threatening from under 2f out, 12th of 18, 13l behind Erosandpsyche (9-7) at Tipperary 5f mdn Yielding in Apr.

Indiana Grey (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, no impression straight, 10th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sister Lola (9-9) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.

Aaron Boy (IRE) 80-1 (9-10) Soon mid-division, 12th approaching straight, soon one pace, 12th of 17, 21 1/4l behind Pineapple Express (10-0) at Gowran Park 1m 2f hcp sft in Apr.

Chimeric (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Rear, last entering straight, no impression over 1f out, modest late headway, never a factor, 16th of 19, 8 1/4l behind Harbanaker (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m hcp Good - Yielding in May.

Sweet Justice (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leader and ran freely early, travelled well in 3rd 2f out, no impression on leaders 1f out, kept on, dropped to 4th closing stages, 4th of 20, 2 1/4l behind Indian Lilac (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m hcp Good - Yielding in May.

Talk Now (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, weakened, last of 14, 16 1/2l behind Burning Lake (9-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Apr.

Drombeg Duke (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Towards rear, progress over 2f out, ridden into 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Fall For A Kiss (9-2) at Killarney 1m hcp sft in May.

Gregory's Gift (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden into 8th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 4 3/4l behind Fall For A Kiss (9-2) at Killarney 1m hcp sft in May.

Raffaello (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden towards outer 2 1/2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 15, 5l behind Angel's Trumpet (9-8) at Killarney 1m hcp sft in May.

Summer's Dream 18-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along 2f out and ridden in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Ottawa Fire (10-2) at Gowran Park 1m hcp sft in Apr.

Dromod Lad (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, keen, effort straight, soon one pace, 8th of 16, 12 1/4l behind Crystal Pool (8-13) at Gowran Park 1m hcp Yielding in May.

Scorpion Black (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) Towards rear, no impression from 2f out, never a factor, 10th of 20, 6l behind Blue Raven (9-12) at Naas 1m hcp gd in Apr.

Scream (IRE) 100-1 (9-1) Settled behind leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 5 1/4l behind Fall For A Kiss (9-2) at Killarney 1m hcp sft in May.

Tommy The Hat (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Waited with, soon towards rear, some headway when squeezed for room under 2f out, soon one pace, 11th of 16, 8 3/4l behind Praying Mantis (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m hcp Yielding in May.

Phoenix Open (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 12th 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 10th of 17, 21 3/4l behind Pineapple Express (10-2) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp sft in May.

Miss Florentine (IRE) 7-2jfav (8-10) In rear, progress entering straight, switched left over 1f out, ridden and ran on under 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Hands Down (8-11) at Sligo 6f hcp Good - Yielding in May.

Tagg's Island (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, mid-division halfway, ridden 2f out and no extra from over 1f out, 11th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Tipperary Moon (9-5) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.