Verdict

Hoh Viss just secures the verdict ahead of Cloudy Lane and Livingonaknifeedge. Hoh Viss may have disappointed his backers last time out but he probably ran up against a decent horse in Don't Push It and today represents an obvious chance for him to redeem his reputation here. Cloudy Lane has to be respected as he is owned by Trevor Hemmings. He was gone well for Graham Lee in the past but will need to improve on his recent second to Scotmail in order to land this. Livingonaknifeedge was a decisive winner of a Uttoxeter hurdle. He comprehensively outpointed an odds-on chance in the process and a literal reading of that form (assuming Magnesium ran up to his rating of 109) would present him with a solid formbook chance. Tight Corner makes his debut under rules. He is a half brother to middle distance hurdler and chaser, Deoch An Dorais. Adventurist has never encountered ground as testing as today and may be best avoided. Master Marmalade makes a debut for new connections having previously been trained by Dave Morris. Tiger King has some appreciation of testing conditions on the flat in Germany but has been unable to show too much since making the transition to Peter Monteith's yard. Hoh Viss has an obvious opportunity and is recommended accordingly.

Formwatch

Hoh Viss 5-2 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 4th, led briefly and mistake 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Don't Push It (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft.

Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to lead approaching 3 out, kept on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (F) hvy beating Magnesium (11-2) by 6l, 17 ran.

Adventurist 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 6l behind Napoleon (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gf.

Cloudy Lane 3-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure approaching last, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Scotmail (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) hvy.

Heavy Weather (IRE) 1-4fav (12-0) won at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gs in Apr beating New Era (12-0) by 18l, 5 ran.

Joseph Beuys (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mistakes, behind, blundered 5th, some headway until blundered and weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, 32l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft.

Master Marmalade 10-3 (11-8) Keen, tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened quickly, 5th of 9, 16l behind Zumrah (11-1) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jun.

Tight Corner (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) 2nd of 8, 2l behind Call Out (11-7) at Trebudannon 2m 4f ptp sft in Apr.