Verdict

This looks tricky but Jamacho is a real course specialist who was third in this in 2021. Manor Park finished runner-up last year while For Pleasure is 2-2 around here and will ensure there is no hanging about. BOMBYX ran a rare poor race here in March but redeemed himself a little at Ludlow subsequently. He could be a bit of value off bottom weight though a case can also be made for Pisgah Pike while Too Friendly finally got his head back in front at Fakenham at the start of the month.

Formwatch

Oakley (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Led, pressed for lead after 3 out, headed after last (usual 2 out), ran on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8 3/4l behind Punctuation (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.

Pisgah Pike (IRE) 11-1 (11-13) Held up last, pushed along going out on last circuit, struggling when went left 3 out, never any chance, tailed off, last of 5, 32 1/4l behind Hunters Call (12-1) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in May.

L'impertinent (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Led, 2 lengths clear halfway, headed before 5 out where mistake, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, at Tipperary 2m 4f Yielding in Jul.

Too Friendly 2-1 (12-0) Pressed leader until led 3rd, 5 lengths clear next, increased lead 6th, reduced lead 3 out, ridden and 5 lengths clear 2 out, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Nevendon (11-2) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.

Jamacho 80-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, some headway when mistake 2 out, no impression, 10th of 17, 13 1/2l behind Black Poppy (10-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.

Manor Park 11-2 (9-10) Always towards rear, never involved, 6th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Mr Freedom (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun.

Valentino Dancer 12-1 (12-0) Always in rear, well beaten after 3 out, last of 6, dist behind Dancila (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jun.

For Pleasure (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, joined last (normal 2 out), soon headed, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Glorious Zoff (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) gd in May.

Bombyx 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, led before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, 5th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Lipa K (10-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in May.