Verdict

Bureaucrat can make amends for his recent costly fall at the expense of Lunar Sovereign and Border Castle, with Saltrio, Vaughan and Future Legend all worth a mention for future reference. A dual winner on the Flat last summer for John Gosden, Bureaucrat looked all set to collect on his timber debut for Philip Hobbs at Ludlow a fortnight ago when falling at the last. Six lengths clear at the time, and still going well, his supporters were no doubt already forming an orderly queue when disaster struck. The good to soft going will not be entirely in his favour today, but the four-year-old can make the most of his age allowance from mainly older rivals to atone under Richard Johnson. Lunar Sovereign had the distinction of pacemaking for more illustrious rivals on the Flat in his time with Godolphin, but needs to show more than he did at Plumpton if he is to make it as a hurdler, and a bigger danger despite a penalty may be Border Castle. The ex-Sir Michael Stoute inmate looked the part when making a winning debut over hurdles at Haydock, but failed to follow up under his penalty at Exeter. However, the drop back in trip today could be the answer, and he should be placed at least. Vaughan should find a race based on his Taunton second in December, and Saltrio, one of a number of Flat recruits, is sure to be placed to good effect in time. Today though is the day that Bureaucrat gets losses back.

Formwatch

Border Castle 8-11fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, held when mistake last, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.

Cruise Director 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten when hit last, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.

Lunar Sovereign (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway 6th, chased leading pair before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 16, 16l behind Anticipating (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.

Saltrio 100-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, 25th of 36, 41l behind Landing Light (9-4) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B) gf in Oct '03 (Flat).

Vaughan 7-2 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and headway to challenge 2 out, not quicken from last, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.

Walsingham (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Kayceecee (11-2) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.

Bureaucrat 3-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 3 out, 6 lengths clear and in command when fell at the last in race won by Fabulous Jet (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.

Power Glory 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway3 out, edged right after 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 15, 4l behind No Commission (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov sll hdl (5) gd.