Verdict

This is easily the most competitive race on the card. Majestic Hero arrives in fine form having run well in both starts since scoring at Newmarket last month. Rural Celebration looks to be on the way back and a first-time visor could bring about further improvement. He's preferred to stablemate Master Bond on these terms and also last week's Hamilton runner-up Cosmic Chatter while Ambitious Icarus was only fifth in a lesser contest at Nottingham on Monday. BALLESTEROS is well treated nowadays, as he showed at Chester last Saturday. He loves the mud and can record only a second victory since 2012 this evening.

Formwatch

Majestic Hero (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Oh So Sassy (9-12) at Doncaster 5f hcp (4) gf in Jun.

Rural Celebration 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Mayfair Lady (9-6) at York 6f hcp fll (2) gd in Jun.

Master Bond 13-2 (9-10) Tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Major Pusey (9-5) at Haydock 5f hcp (4) gf in Jun.

Ballesteros 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway under pressure 2f out, went 2nd and ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just held near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Lexi's Hero (9-2) at Chester 6f hcp (4) sft in Jun.

Royal Acquisition 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 13 1/4l behind Oh So Sassy (9-12) at Doncaster 5f hcp (4) gf in Jun.

Ambitious Icarus 5-1 (9-6) Taken to post early, slowly away in rear, switched to centre entering final 2f, stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Rainbow Orse (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp (5) sft in Jun.

Cosmic Chatter 11-1 (9-0) In touch in rear, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Final Venture (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.