Circassian looks the answer to this tricky contest; the list of dangers is headed by Tiger King and Border Tale. The selection shaped with plenty of promise when last seen here in April and with the return to this trip very much in his favour he stands out as the one to beat. Tiger King won on his latest outing over hurdles and he ran with plenty of credit when finishing a neck second behind Elopement on the level last time. If the selection fails to fire, then he should be the one to profit. Border Tale won well when beating Rocknest Island in this grade last time and a reproduction of that effort would give him an obvious chance. Smart Street is a course and distance winner and with Phil Kinsella taking 3lbs off his back he could go well at a price on his return from a break. However, Circassian showed enough when last seen out to make him the one to beat.
Circassian (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Saif Sareea (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Front Rank (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Always behind, 11th of 13, well behind Sharp Reply (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr.
Smart Street 3-1 (11-7) Led after 1st, ridden and headed between last 2, hit last, stayed on well flat, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind South O'The Border (11-6) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Apr.
John Forbes 100-1 (10-6) In touch, mistake 1st, weakened from 5th, 16th of 22, well behind Kings Quay (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Stainley (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Behind, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lennon (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Culcabock (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out and last, no extra run-in, 4th of 10, 9l behind Turbo (10-2) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May.
King Daniel 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Pevensey (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Master Nimbus 6-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, headway when hit 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Decisive (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chased leaders to 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 10, 14l behind Hush Tiger (9-10) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Tiger King (GER) 9-2 (10-6) Prominent, smooth headway, every chance 2 out, soon led, driven clear flat, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Aug beating Kristiansand (10-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Border Tale 9-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 3 out, led, going well before next, ridden and kept on flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept beating Rocknest Island (10-1) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
