Verdict

A poor quality finale with the weights headed by Paddy Rodford's Oriental Style, who has faced an endless struggle against the handicapper since winning at Warwick in January. Regal River only got as far as the second last time and may well need another couple of runs to put him right, while Haste Ye Back tends to find at least one too good and may do so again. More solid claims are held by the Ginger McCain-trained The Eens. The 10-year-old is entitled to come on for his reappearance fourth behind Arlequin De Sou at Haydock Park last month and, back off his proper mark, the son of Rakaposhi King has to be respected. However, a poor win to run ratio suggests that he may not be great value at the forecast odds and the TEAMtalk selection instead is Ferdy Murphy's Don't Tell Jr. With the stable beginning to find the odd winner and having had a recent pipe-opener at Fakenham when four lengths behind Stanmore, the eight-year-old holds solid claims.