Verdict

BLACK MINSTREL was having his first start since 2012 when scoring at Lingfield three weeks ago. He can make up for lost time and defy an 8lb rise in this modest company. Living Leader returned from a three-month break with a good effort over a mile here and attempts today's trip for this first time. Hallingham went close over 1m4f at Kempton and looks capable of winning off his current mark though has something to find with April Ciel on last year's running at Chepstow. Petrify may also do better dropping back in distance.

Formwatch

April Ciel 16-1 (8-11) Led, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Bobbyscot (9-4) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.

Living Leader 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Balmoral Castle (9-3) at Warwick 1m app hcp (6) gd.

Black Minstrel (IRE) 4-5fav (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, not clear run on inside over 2f out until switched right 2f out, good headway soon after, went over 3 lengths 2nd and plenty to do over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, closed to lead close home, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr beating Salient (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.

Hallingham 14-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden when headway entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Lily Edge (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Master Of Song 10-1 (9-1) Slowly away early reminders in rear, ridden halfway, kept on entering final furlong, never a factor, 5th of 6, 7l behind Kasbhom (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Apr.

Sir Tyto (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, led entering final 3f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 14l behind Rainford Glory (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.

Remix (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, pushed along 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Puzzle Time (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol in Mar.

Elusive Band (USA) 13-2 (9-10) Prominent, took keen hold, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 35l behind Aseela (9-5) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gs.

Petrify 10-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, tracked winner until over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 9l behind Spanish Plume (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.

Priestley's Reward (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) With leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Town Mouse (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f clm stks (6) gd in Jun.

Flag Of Glory 50-1 (10-3) Led until over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Swift Blade (11-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol in Jan.

Shirataki (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 12, 18l behind Conquestadim (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.