Verdict

A trappy finale but WILD SHOT was an easy course and distance winner last month and hasn't run badly on two subsequent hurdle outings. Barometer also has claims on his last two runs, and his yard is in form, and he could be the main threat despite a record of 1-22 on Turf. Peter Fahey is another handler in fine form at present and Zoffany Bay comes into contention after winning here on his latest start on the level but he does step up half-a-mile in trip. Appian Way has yet to place on the Flat but has shown ability on both starts for Gordon Elliott so appeals as an each-way option along with Charlie Luciano.

Formwatch

Kingsofthemidlands (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Zoffany Bay (9-13) at Tramore 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.

Elzaamsan (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 7th 4f out, pushed along on inner entering straight, 5th over 1f out, not clear run under 1f out, no impression, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Folly Beach (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp sft in Jul.

Zoffany Bay (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, pushed along and no extra after 2 out, soon weakened, 15th of 20, 34 1/2l behind Building Bridges (11-12) at Galway 2m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.

Barometer (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Prominent, tracked leader in 2nd after 2f, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 2nd entering straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, dropped to 3rd final 50 yards, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Folly Beach (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp sft in Jul.

Rock On Seamie (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Towards rear, not fluent 3rd, good progress from 4 out and soon tracked leaders, ridden from 2 out and no extra in 6th when fell last, at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.

Dubai Clover (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Dwelt slightly and towards rear, ridden into 7th 2f out, no impression in 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 5 1/4l behind No Hassle (9-13) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp Yielding in Jul.

Wild Shot 16-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, closer and slight mistake 3 out, 6th 2 out, pushed along and 5th before last, ridden and kept on one pace into 4th run-in, 4th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Emily In Paris (10-3) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Aug.

Charlie Luciano (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Soon led, jumped left, tightened up 2nd after 1st, 2 lengths advantage halfway, pushed along when challenged and jumped badly left last, soon ridden and headed run-in, no extra and kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Gortmillish (11-9) at Downpatrick 2m 6f gd in Jul.

Chutzpal (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake at 1st, in touch after 2nd, 7th after 4th, no impression in moderate 6th last, kept on same pace to moderate 5th, 5th of 15, 18 1/4l behind Rockview Consort (11-0) at Tramore 2m mdn gd in Aug.

Dreams Fled Away (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Mid division, 7th halfway, pushed along on inner entering straight, soon no extra and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 37l behind Glyde Ranger (8-11) at Sligo 1m 5f hcp sft in Aug.

Tory Reel (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, slight mistake 7th, 7th before 4 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden when not fluent next, 2nd after 2 out and challenged last, kept on well, led closing stages, won at Killarney 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul beating Away To Milan (11-2) by 3/4l, 15 ran.

Appian Way (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no extra and dropped to 5th over 150 yards out, 5th of 13, 3l behind Hand Over Fist (11-7) at Roscommon 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.

Turkestan 22-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden in 6th on inner 2 out, no impression, 6th of 15, 10 1/4l behind Hearts Are Trumps (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.

Arabian King 18-1 (11-1) In rear, pushed along 2 out, soon ridden, went 6th at last, no impression, 7th of 16, 5 3/4l behind My Design (11-12) at Galway 3m hcp Yielding in Aug.

Ellaat 3-1fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, some progress into rear of mid-division at halfway, 10th travelling well 3f out, niggled along under 2f out, kept on well under tender handling, never nearer, 4th of 15, 4 3/4l behind Sequoiaspirit (9-6) at Gowran Park 1m 6f hcp sft in May.