Verdict

Ben Lilly has won at Newton Abbot and Wincanton this season having previously proved hard to place. The Imposter won six times last season but has paid the price with a further 6lb rise on his return to action. Lelantos won at Newton Abbot in August but looked beaten when unseating his rider at Southwell last time. HALLIGATOR ran well over an extended 2m4f at Huntingdon last season and, still unexposed, looks worth another try over this longer trip with his yard back among the winners. Woodie Flash and Scamallach Liath, second over this trip at Exeter and Ascot in the spring, also go on the shortlist but Tzarmix ran poorly at Southwell last month.

Formwatch

Tzarmix (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Prominent on inner, slow jump 3rd, not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened from 3 out, last of 5, dist behind Butch (11-7) at Southwell 3m (4) gd in Oct.

Whydah Gally 5-1 (11-7) In rear, pushed along after 11th, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, soon no impression, plugged on, 3rd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Tip Top Mountain (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr.

The Imposter (FR) 4-1fav (11-11) Led and disputed after 1st, outright leader after 4 out, strongly pressed last, stayed on gamely and came clear run-in, won at Ascot 3m hcp fll (4) gs in Apr beating Scamallach Liath (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.

Scamallach Liath (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, led and disputed after 1st, headed after 4 out, chased winner and every chance 2 out, lost 2nd at the last, went 2nd again close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind The Imposter (11-11) at Ascot 3m hcp fll (4) gs in Apr.

Ben Lilly (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Raced wide, close up, chased leader and every chance 2 out, soon led, ridden and idled towards finish, just held on, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Stiletto (11-0) by hd, 6 ran.

Halligator (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Led until 1st, chased leaders, lost place and ridden along 5th, jumped left 4 out, well behind before 3 out, 5th of 6, 24 1/2l behind Copper Beach (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.

Lelantos (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led, niggled along briefly after 8th, just headed when mistake and unseated rider last, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.

My Last Oscar (IRE) 2-1 (10-10) Led until after 2nd, led 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 4, dist behind Iberio (10-12) at Taunton 3m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.

Woodie Flash (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, 5th and outpaced 3 out, left 4th when hampered last, no impression, lost 4th close home, 5th of 16, 21 1/2l behind Ike Sport (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Sep.

Leading Swoop (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway from 6th, led normal 2 out but hard pressed, stayed on, just denied post, 2nd of 13, shd behind My Ticketyboo (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Jan.