Verdict

ROCKSTOWN NATIVE was no match for Josh The Boss at Warwick but was giving the winner 16lb and will almost certainly improve on that effort here. His experience could give him the edge of Mercian Omen, who showed ability in two runs in decent bumper company last season, and Illico De Cotte. The latter changed hands for £100,000 after winning a maiden point at Ballynoe in March and this looks a good starting point under Rules.

Formwatch

Barbarosa (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Keen early, held up in rear, asked for effort inside 2f, weakened, 4th of 5, 18 3/4l behind Red October (9-9) at Leicester 1m 4f stks (5) gd in Jul.

Canty Bay (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 16, dist behind How Will I Know (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.

Honore 200-1 (11-0) In rear, reminders after 3rd, detached before 2 out, pulled up, at Lingfield 2m (4) sft in Nov.

Illico De Cotte (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, clsr 3rd from 5out, ld aftr 3out, hdd brfly bef 2out, ld agn 2out, 5l adv gng best bef last, further clr flat, won at Ballynoe 3m hvy in Mar beating What A Johnny (11-11) by 12l, 7 ran.

Letmetellusomethin 15-2 (11-5) Close up, ridden along and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 9, 21l behind Quick Sharpener (11-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) gd in Mar.

Rockstown Native (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Handy behind leaders, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along and tried to press leader home turn, no telling impression and well held before last, eased run-in, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Josh The Boss (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Oct.

Clondaw Royale (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In rear, not fluent 1st, behind before 4th, tailed off next, 8th of 9, dist behind Idy Wood (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Oct.

Face d'Music (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Cl up, 5th & mstk 5th, 6th bef 3out & clsr in 5th aftr 3out, ko in 4th early flat & went 3rd nr fin, no dngr, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Elusive Prince (11-11) at Dawstown 3m mdn gd in May.

Golden Ambition (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Off the pace and always towards rear, 10th of 17, 17 1/4l behind Check The Score (11-3) at Warwick 2m (5) gd in Apr.

Jongleur D'etoiles (FR) 66-1 (11-1) Towards rear, mistake 1st and 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Idy Wood (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Oct.

Star Of Affinity (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Geezer Rockstar (10-10) at Taunton 2m mdn (5) gs in Apr.

The Flying Fig 25-1 (11-0) Pulled hard early in rear, went right 3rd, struggling 4 out, left remote 4th 3 out, jinked right and unseated rider next, at Newbury 2m (4) gf in Feb.

Tique 13-8fav (11-1) Led, went badly right 1st, headed soon after, chased winner, bad mistake and lost ground next, closer 4 out, lost 2nd before 2 out where went right and mistake 2 out, ridden and struggling between last two, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 6, dist behind On Se Calme (11-2) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gf in Oct.

Mercian Omen (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Bit keen, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Larchmont Lass (11-2) at Sandown 2m lst (1) hvy in Mar.