Verdict

Ethan's Star looks the form pick in this contest and he rates as the obvious choice over Souffleur and Roman Army. The selection has got some decent form in Ireland and he did win impressively when beating Mr Duffy at Gowran Park back in April. If he is fit enough to do himself justice on his return from a break then he should prove tough to beat. Souffleur shaped with a degree of promise at Market Rasen last time when fourth behind The Sliotar. He will need to step-up on that effort to get his head in front but that latest run was an improved effort so he could be going the right way. Roman Army disappointed last time at Sedgefield but he would have claims here if he could replicate his earlier form. Craiglands is an interesting newcomer from the Howard Johnson yard and he is certainly worth noting in the market. However, for the pick we will return to Ethan's Star.

Formwatch

Ethan's Star (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Led, headed approaching 3rd, raced in moderate 2nd after, closed and led again 4 out where slight mistake, soon clear, reduced lead 2 out, in command when mistake last, stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f 5yo mdn hdl gd.

Sybellius D'artaix (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 26l behind Browneyes Blue (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.

The Saltire Tiger 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 17, 25l behind Pigeon Island (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sept.

Soubriquet (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, 13th of 15, 29l behind Platin Grounds (10-12) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.

Craiglands (IRE) Dushyantor gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.

Cutting Chrystal (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Led, headed after 6f, ridden over 4f, soon one pace, 6th of 11, 25l behind Razor Royale (10-9) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in Sept.

Familiar Affair 50-1 (10-5) Held up and keen early, led approaching 2nd, headed 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Middleton Dene (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.

Humourous (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Newton Bridge (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.

I'm On Fire (IRE) Rudimentary gelding out of Nickys Joy.

Jupsala (FR) 10-3jt-fav (9-9) Led until fell at the 9th in race won by Rainbow Tree (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Apr, 10 ran.

Lusabawn (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led after 3f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 34l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.

More Shennanigans 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Berwick Law (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.

Mr Woods 4-1 (10-7) Led, headed 4f out, no extra, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Mr Multifix (10-7) at Perth 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.

Roman Army (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 6th of 15, 17l behind Levitski (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.

Souffleur 8-1 (10-8) Not fluent and in rear, headway 3 out, went 4th next, kept on nearest finish, 4th of 14, 19l behind The Sliotar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.