Verdict

A tough race but one in which Bougoure gets the most tentative of nods over The Duke's Speech and Unjust Law. Sue Smith's team have just hit form and while Bougoure will have to conceed a winners' penalty - there was a lot to like about his recent victory at Catterick and he seemed to finish with something in hand. Tom Tate's yard have hardly been proilific but his runners have been performing considerably better of late and The Duke's Speech should go well if he can bounce back from a modest run at Doncaster. Unjust Law is a cheaply bought son of Dushyantor. He has won two bumpers but the going has to be an obvious imponderable for him. Dancing Partner has few worries about the going as he won a Uttoxeter bumper on soft going in February. His second to Spirit of New York in a Market Rasen bumper reads well. Campaign Charlie is related to a number of useful staying chasers and can handle the surface. He is watched in the market this afternoon. Reach For The Top has been highly tried in the past but ran a stinker at Sandown in similar conditions. Bougoure looks open to further improvement and is selected here.

Formwatch

Bougoure (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, challenged next, kept on well from last, won at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Nov beating Brave Rebellion (10-10) by 2l, 15 ran.

Chateau Rouge (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 16, 7l behind According To Pete (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Nov.

Dancing Partner (USA) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear when fell 3 out in race won by Scotmail (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Nov, 13 ran.

Kilmackilloge 50-1 (10-12) Midfield when fell at the 2nd in race won by Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft, 20 ran.

Reach For The Top (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, some headway approaching 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs.

The Duke's Speech (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Raced keenly in touch, effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 12, 22l behind L'Antartique (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd.

Unjust Law (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) hvy beating Bradley Boy (11-4) by 6l, 13 ran.

Gay Gladys 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, last 6f out, kept on from over 3f out, 15th of 25, 45l behind Silent Oscar (11-2) at Punchestown 2m nhf sft in Apr.