Verdict

Metallic Black edges this at the weights but dropping down to this level for a belated seasonal debut fails to boost confidence and VOLTAIC is preferred. The latter finished runner-up in soft going at Lingfield on his penultimate start and Paul Cole’s charge may prove good enough. Both Praxidice and Ventura Glory have a shout at the weights though neither have form in testing ground while Jean Valjean has returned a losing favourite the last twice now and is fitted with headgear today.

Formwatch

Champion Brogie (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Spanish Star (9-7) at Bath 6f hcp (5) sft in Sep.

Breath Of Spring (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression until late headway and stayed on into modest 4th well inside final furlong, no chance with leaders, 4th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Futuristic (9-5) at Yarmouth 6f stks (5) gd in Sep.

Disruptor (FR) 33-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, headway on outside chasing leaders halfway, soon pushed along, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 12 1/2l behind More Than Likely (8-12) at Lingfield 6f stks (6) gf in Aug.

Jean Valjean 5-2fav (9-12) Went right start and bumped rival, held up, brief effort stands side over 2f out, no impression, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Milan Reef (9-3) at Leicester 7f hcp (6) hvy in Oct.

Metallic Black 25-1 (8-13) Raced far side, chased leaders, lost place halfway, hung left over 1f out, soon weakened, 27th of 28, 25l behind Lorton (8-4) at Newmarket 6f stks (2) gs in Oct.

Paddy's Pursuit (IRE) 9-2jfav (9-4) Towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, 10l behind Masai Spirit (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Sep.

Voltaic 11-2 (9-0) Raced alone towards stands side and well on terms, effort when hung left over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Bear Force One (9-7) at Newbury 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep.

Counterfeit 100-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, soon recovered chasing leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Dawn Treader (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f stks (6) sft in Oct.

Praxidice 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Dutch Treat (9-5) at Newmarket 7f hcp fll (3) gs in Oct.

Rosamour (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Gregorian Girl (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Sep.

Ventura Glory 7-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Hunterwali (9-1) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gs in Jun.