Verdict

FORTUNATE ISLE has the form to put these rivals in the shade, and is taken to end the series of 2's next to his name, with the main rivals expected to be Sirkeel and Harry The Hawk. Richard Fahey's gelding had a decent career on the flat, but has yet to land a blow over the jumps, but this could be the contest where he does. Some of his rivals here are trying jumping for the first time. Harry The Hawk falls into that category. He won a couple of flat races when there was some cut in the ground, and if taking to the fences, should be in with a shout. Sirkeel produced a trendous effort here last month when coming second at 66 to 1 in a novice hurdle, in what was his first outing for 18 months and first run for new connections. He led for much of the way, before being touched off by a short priced favourite. Don't expect anything like those odds today, but maybe a similarly positive ride. For followers of trends, only twice in 10 years has this race been won by the favourite, but we're sticking with Fortunate Isle.

Formwatch

Byron Bay 40-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind Donaldson (10-8) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.

Fortunate Isle (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, one pace, 5th of 13, 14l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.

Harry The Hawk 7-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, never a factor, last of 13, 15l behind Blazing Bailey (9-8) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) sft in Oct (Flat).

Pete 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and effort 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, 47l behind The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.

Room At The Top (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leader approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 18, 27l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.

Sirkeel (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Led, headed last, kept on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Signalman (10-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.

The Grey Sparky 6-1 (12-0) Ur 2 unseated rider in race won by Amour Daria (11-7) at Whittington 2m 5f ptp gd in Apr, 10 ran.

What A Cliche 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 18, 39l behind Present Gesture (10-9) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in Jun.

Wind Shuffle (GER) 14-1 (10-12) Led, ran green approaching 2nd, headed 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Is It Me (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Aug '06.

Shara Like Magic 100-1 (9-7) Held up when saddle slipped and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Prosecco (11-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 13 ran.