Verdict

A race named after the great The French Furze can go the way of his old trainer Nicky Richards with GRIZEBECK ahead of On Raglan Road and Border Reiver. A winner off a mark of 73 on his final flat start for Roger Fisher, the selection then made a winning return to hurdles at Bangor. Given a fantastic front-running ride by his jockey he really put the rest to the sword and the feeling is that the same could occur today on a track that should suit over a longer trip. On Raglan Road has made a very bright start to his career; this former winning point-to-pointer was impressive when wining on his rules debut at Hexham. He stays well so it may prove that his subsequent odds-on defeat to Massasoit at Aintree wasn't a bad effort and he must be the biggest danger today. Starbougg is consistent but continues to find one too good, whilst Quintus could be anything having his first start on these shores after a successful time of things in France. Border Reiver is consistent but perhaps struggled under his penalty when beaten at Wetherby, whilst All About Trigger and Knockara Beau cannot be ruled out. A fantastic contest, with preference for Grizebeck.

Formwatch

Quintus (FR) (10-3) Won at Vichy in Sept 2m3f110y hdl gd-sft beating Quel Beau Marc (10-3) by a head, 3 ran.

Border Reiver 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, hit last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.

Grizebeck (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Led, headed 2 out, regained lead after last, stayed on, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy beating Latanier (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.

On Raglan Road (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Massasoit (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.

All About Trigger (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, ran on strongly from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Officier De Reserve (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.

Knockara Beau (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leaders, keen early, ridden and hit 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Merrydown (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.

Prioryjo 28-1 (10-7) In touch, effort to chase winner 3 out, ridden next, no impression approaching last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 16, 6l behind River Shanakill (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs.

Starbougg 14-1 (10-10) Behind, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no chance winner, 2nd of 16, 6l behind River Shanakill (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs.