Verdict

This looks a good opportunity for Richard Fahey's FORTUNATE ISLE who is taken to get the better of Cash Man and Overbranch. The selection has plenty to recommend him today; he won well last time when he beat Kingsdale Orion at Newcastle, we know he will go on the ground and the yard are in fair form. His chief rival looks to be Overbranch who failed to get home last time, so the drop in trip will suit. He had previously confirmed his well-being when he went close over the chase fences at Towcester and he should give our selection a race. Cash Man won a novices' hurdle at Kelso back in April and he will go on the ground, but he has been disappointing of late and he can't be backed with any confidence. Henry Daly's Kack Handed has been progressing nicely with his racing and there should be more to come from this lightly-raced six-year-old. He is respected, but the nomination is given to Fortunate Isle.

Formwatch

Orpen Wide (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, driven and one pace after, 4th of 13, 21l behind Oldrik (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.

Cash Man (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) In touch, lost place 5th, no danger after, 7th of 8, well behind Wot Way Chief (11-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.

Bedizen 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, driven to lead final 100 yards, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Halfway Cut (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.

Fortunate Isle (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and idled last, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Kingsdale Orion (10-12) by a hd, 12 ran.

Overbranch 10-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, prominent, mistakes 4th and 8th, pushed along 12th, weakened 13th, 4th of 8, 37l behind Shatabdi (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Dec.

Kack Handed 7-1 (10-12) Chased leader, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.

Ballinderry Park (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 2 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 23l behind Karabak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.

Aviation 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.

Federstar (GER) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 3 out, under pressure to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Mr Jack Daniells (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.

Scutch Mill (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division on inside, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure last, no impression, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Mister Wiseman (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.

Sophist (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 6th of 9, 37l behind Window Of Hope (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chs gs in Sept.

Nothingbutthetruth (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Led, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 8th of 14, 24l behind Admiral Savannah (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Crosby Jemma 22-1 (11-7) Towards rear, blundered 2nd, never dangerouus, 10th of 17, 26l behind Three Thieves (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.

Bamby (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Took keen hold, tracked leader 2nd to 4th, on left and weakened approaching 2 out where mistake, 7th of 8, 42l behind Earlsfield Raider (10-11) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Apr.