Verdict

Plenty of guesswork involved with Ferdy Murphy's two returning to the track but preference is for the match-fit BATTLECRY ahead of Finger Onthe Pulse. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his horses in good form and the selection made a pleasing return to action recently at Cheltenham behind the useful Ornais despite starting as a short-priced favourite. His novice form from last season reads well and he is fancied to put up a bold show today. Last year's winner Harmony Brig returns for another crack, along with the runner-up twelve months ago Aleron; this renewal looks slightly better though. Finger Onthe Pulse has ability but is yet to really prove his stamina for this trip, so of more interest may be the classy pair of Aces Four and L'Antartique. Fitness will be a guessing game but both have ability and both will have targets laid out for them at some point this season; the only job is to work out whether today is the day. Standin Obligation and One Sniff have a chance on their good runs, however in a competitive heat it is Battlecry who can score.

Formwatch

Aces Four (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 8, 27l behind Mr Shambles (9-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.

L'Antartique (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Always behind, 7th of 9, 42l behind Our Vic (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.

Finger Onthe Pulse (IRE) 2-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Noland (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs Grd 3 sft.

Battlecry 8-11fav (11-0) Held up in 3rd, not fluent 10th or 12th, mistake 14th, closed to chase winner soon after 2 out, just over 2 lengths down last, ridden and no impression, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Ornais (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Grad Ch (2) sft.

Standin Obligation (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Jumped left, behind and early reminders, struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Eric's Charm (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Apr, 18 ran.

Harmony Brig (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, some headway after 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression after, 6th of 17, 20l behind Parsons Legacy (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.

One Sniff (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 9th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led before last, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr beating Chickapeakray (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.

Aleron (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened from 15th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 9 ran.

More Likely 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and went poor 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 19l behind Hello Bud (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.