Verdict

A big run from Kilpin in the opener could advertise the claims of the hat-trick seeking Volcano, who has plenty of chasing experience. Venetia Williams is capable of getting one ready at home and she has a her team in good form so the returning Brianstorm, who has wind surgery, is worth a market check. Sheshoon Sonny looks a chasing type but ROSMUC RELAY’s stamina reserves had emptied when he unseated his rider at Uttoxeter so he will likely be suited but this drop in distance.

Formwatch

Le Milos 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division on inside, weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, 34 1/4l behind Nordano (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.

Rosmuc Relay (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Led, jumped right 16th and headed, pushed along before next, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Brianstorm (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Always in 4th, beaten after 3 out, last of 4, 13 1/2l behind Bordeaux Bill (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.

Volcano (FR) 10-3fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, slow and bumped 1st, left 2nd 13th, led after 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Kilpin (11-12) by 3l, 11 ran.

Sheshoon Sonny (FR) 9-2fav (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened quickly, 11th of 16, 29l behind Calva D'Auge (12-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.

Tip Top Cat (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 6th, not fluent 2 out (normal 3 out), outpaced last bend, plugged on from last (normal 2 out), went 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 12 1/4l behind Lieutenant Rocco (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.

Generation Gap (IRE) 10-3jfav (12-4) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 1st, mistake 3rd, hampered 5th, closed next, not fluent 10th, jumped right 12th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 11, dist behind Premiumaccess (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.

Festival Dawn 12-1 (11-9) Led after 1st, headed next, led 7th, headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Airgead Suas (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Nov.