Verdict

BISHOPHILL JACK's Towcester victory was franked when runner-up Spot The Ball won at Folkestone on Tuesday. Kim Bailey's six-year-old can follow up here off a 5lb higher mark before having his sights raised. Roi De Garde has won here in the past and bounced back to form over 3m1f at Wetherby last time while Overquest returned from a lengthy absence to score at Ayr and stays well. Timpo could play a part if fully wound-up but this looks too tough for Kilvergan Boy and Matmata De Tendron while Newcastle second Bob Will has gone up a further 4lb. Ballyvoneen rattled up a hat-trick in the spring but has been in the handicapper's grip this term.

Formwatch

Bishophill Jack (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, led soon after 3 out, hit next, soon switched left, went right last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov beating Spot The Ball (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.

Ballyvoneen (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 3rd, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Delgany Gunner (10-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.

Overquest 11-4 (10-12) Tracking leaders when not fluent 2nd, mistake 6th, closed 10th, went 2nd before next, led 12th, joined last, found extra and in command towards finish, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov beating Et Maintenant (10-13) by 1l, 7 ran.

Roi De Garde (FR) 9-2 (10-5) Held up and raced wide, pushed along and headway 10th, chased leaders 5 out, went 2nd before next, led approaching 3 out, clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov beating Eyre Apparent (11-5) by 8l, 10 ran.

Timpo (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Led to 8th, ridden next, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 12, well behind Midnight Macarena (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.

Kilvergan Boy (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 2nd, led 4th, made most after until ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 16l behind Oscar Leney (10-6) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Nov.

Bob Will (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Led, pressed from 5 out, ridden and under pressure from 3 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Definite Appeal (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.

Matmata de Tendron (FR) 10-1 (9-9) With winner, pushed along before 12th, in 4th when blundered badly 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 45l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) hvy.