Verdict

Firak won a point-to-point and two hunter-chases in the spring and today's big weight is reduced by his regular partner's claim. SAGEBURG COUNTY, a winner at Market Rasen in May, had a comfortable victory on heavy ground here a week ago and a 7lb penalty doesn't look enough to prevent a double. Eaton Collina completed a double when sluicing home at Ascot in April but will need to put a poor reappearance at Wetherby behind him. Sporting Mike had strong form over timber last winter and should be better for last month's chasing debut at Hereford. Dual hurdles winner Fiston De Becon makes his debut over fences but Hurlerontheditch was in the process of making a winning chasing debut when falling at the last at Warwick though a 10lb rise adds insult to injury.

Formwatch

Firak (FR) 5-2 (12-2) Handy, led 15th, headed and remained prominent before 3 out, led again home turn and forged 8 lengths clear jumping last, ridden run-in and strongly pressed closing stages, just held on, all out, won at Hexham 3m (5) sft in Apr beating Drop Flight (11-12) by shd, 9 ran.

Hurlerontheditch (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Led, mostly jumped well but slightly right, steadily drew clear from 13th, going well and 25 lengths clear when stumbled on landing and fell last, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.

Sageburg County (IRE) 16-5 (11-11) Held up in last, switched right before 5th, closed when not fluent 12th, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, clear flat, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Tom Creen (11-2) by 8l, 4 ran.

Eaton Collina (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Pressed leader, outpaced before 4 out, weakened and pulled up tired before 2 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.

Sporting Mike (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-12) Towards rear, some headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 26l behind School Days Over (11-6) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Kap Auteuil (FR) 9-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Hardy Fella (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.

Zestful Hope (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Close up in rear, raced in 3rd at 4th, hit 12th, lost position after 3 out, well beaten when blundered last, last of 5, 23 3/4l behind Mylesfromwicklow (11-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Fiston De Becon (FR) 6-1 (11-7) In touch with leaders, ridden along after 3 out, soon no chance with leaders, weakened, 4th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Spirit D'aunou (11-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gs in Apr.

Pawpaw 11-4 (11-3) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and lost place 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when jumped right 2 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Judge Earle (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jul.