Verdict

Magnitude won over C&D off a higher mark last year but is difficult to fancy on recent efforts. Korngold has been sent off favourite in his last six starts but only won once and his stable remains out of sorts. It remains to be seen if blinkers will have any effect while Crimson Monarch is usually worth opposing. AEGEAN DESTINY has dropped a couple of pounds since finishing second in a ladies' race at Ripon. George Downing takes off a further 5lb and John Mackie's five-year-old looks the safest option here.

Formwatch

Korngold 15-8fav (9-1) Tracked leading pair, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, 6th of 7, 19l behind Achalas (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.

Quam Celerrime 40-1 (8-11) Always in the rear, last of 9, 16l behind Transvestite (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcap (4) pol in Jan '09.

Cozy Tiger (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Held up in last pair, last and struggling 4f out, last of 7, 20l behind Bolivia (9-6) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.

Dalayir (FR) 9-1 (9-7) Keen tracked leader until over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased, last of 7, 35l behind Bennelong (9-7) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.

Bin End 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, some headway over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 10, 18l behind Honourable Knight (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.

Aegean Destiny 9-1 (9-13) Held up, headway 3f out, chased winner in vain entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sula Two (10-13) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) sft.

Finch Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 8, 3l behind Cuckoo Rock (9-1) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.

Magnitude 16-1 (8-9) Dwelt, pushed along in rear, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 22l behind Politbureau (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.

Into The Wind 10-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 7l behind Pindar (8-7) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gd.

Imperial Royale (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Raced wide held up, headway to track leader 7f out, ridden over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 13l behind Shaloo Diamond (10-7) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.

Darsan (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 9, 14l behind Shirataki (11-9) at Windsor 1m 2f am hcp 0-65 (6) sft.

Crimson Monarch (USA) 13-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out until well over 1f out, stayed on same pace over 1f out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Bouggatti (9-7) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.