Verdict

No surprise if Ulysses becomes the subject of strong support on his first start since joining Dan Skelton whose ability to improve new recruits has been evident from day one. However, has plenty to find on bare form and BUCKEYE SHAN is preferred off the bottom rung in the hope his recent smooth selling success was not a one-off as it represented a first success over timber in 19 starts. He is temptingly weighted though and given the benefit of the doubt. Parisian Affair and Sitron have revealed enough in maiden and novice hurdles to be of interest now handicapping and the consistent Ormskirk has a fair shout under his amateur who claims a handy 7lb.

Formwatch

Machine Head (USA) 40-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, 13th before 5th, soon weakened, completely tailed off, 15th of 18, dist behind Rock On Lilly (11-2) at Limerick 2m hcp hvy in Dec.

Celtic Monarch (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, headway after next, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 13l behind Towerburn (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.

Parisian Affair 20-1 (10-4) Chased leader until after 4th, ridden after 4 out, well held from 2 out, 4th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Feel The Pinch (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Jun.

Sitron 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, 4th when blundered 3 out, went 3rd next, no impression, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Bannixtown Glory (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gd in Jul.

Ulysses (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 6, dist behind Captain Tommy (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr.

Enforcement (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led after 1st, headed after next, not fluent 5th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.

Plenty Of Butty (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened last, 7th of 15, 16 1/2l behind Russian's Legacy (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jun.

Buckeye Shan (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up in last pair, headway on inside before omitted 2 out, soon chased leader, driven to lead bypassing omitted last, kept on well (all flights in home straight omitted, low sun), won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Patsio (11-9) by 5l, 10 ran.

Lochinver (FR) 250-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st, always towards rear, 15th of 20, dist behind Rathhill (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.

Ormskirk 8-1 (11-7) Made most, clear after 2nd, mistake 6th, reduced advantage after next, drew clear again 3 out, driven when mistake last, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Black Lightning (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Jun.

Shanksforamillion 9-1 (11-3) Behind, headway 7th, went 2nd 3 out until before 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Rasasee (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Jul.