Verdict

War Poet is a decent handicapper on the Flat though he'll need to improve on last year's efforts over timber. GRAND DIAMOND makes more appeal on this occasion as he went close at Kelso before a failing to figure in much better company here last time. Swaledale Lad's best form over hurdles entitles him to consideration on his first start since May and Bridlingtonbygones has a shout dropped in class. Parc Des Princes beat Formulation at Market Rasen back in August and along with Lillioftheballet and King Brex is another with claims in an open contest.

Formwatch

Swaledale Lad (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, took keen hold, went 4th before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 21l behind Beeves (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd in May.

War Poet 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, tracked leaders 2 out (usual 3 out), every chance next, no extra flat, 4th of 13, 9l behind Embsay Crag (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.

Grand Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) In rear, tailed off and struggling 4 out, plugged on, 6th of 9, 19l behind Nine Stories (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.

Bridlingtonbygones (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Chased clear leader until 3rd, chased leading pair, pushed along after 6th, weakened after 3 out, mistake next, 5th of 9, 17l behind Nine Stories (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.

Formulation (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden disputing 3rd and stayed on same pace from 2 out, dropped to 4th towards finish, 4th of 13, 15l behind Smadynium (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.

Musnad (USA) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, ridden 3 out, well beaten before next, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Drumlang (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.

Parc Des Princes (USA) 9-2 (10-10) Last pair, towards rear when fell 4 out, in a race won by Parson's Punch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 10 ran.

Winstone (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, headway 3 out, challenged before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Locked Inthepocket (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp 0-115 (4) sft in Apr.

Garth Mountain 11-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, 35l behind Key To Milan (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.

Lillioftheballet (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division in touch, driven 7th, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, never on terms, 7th of 9, 16l behind Acordingtoscript (9-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.

Coax 20-1 (11-0) Towards rear and keen, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 19l behind Creekside (10-9) at Catterick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.

Weetfromthechaff 17-2 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened before 2 out, last of 9, well behind Hunters Belt (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Oct.

Urban Kode (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) In touch main group on inside, stumbled on paddock bend, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Hunters Belt (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep, 11 ran.

King Brex (DEN) 11-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 5th, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner before 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Goldtrek (10-1) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.

Oscar Stanley (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, under pressure approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Gougane (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.