Verdict

This looks wide-open but course and distance winner Smokey Lane arrives in peak form and an outside draw could be an advantage if they head for the far side, though he does have a double penalty. SPANISH STAR (NAP) is also drawn wide and Pat Chamings’ gelding loves the mud. He’s been raised 3lb for winning at Bath but George Rooke can claim the full 7lb in this. Iconic Knight has been knocking on the door and veteran Handytalk, another course winner, is also respected. Whelans Way has been very consistent this year and will handle conditions while Lucky Lucky Man has travelled down from North Yorkshire and can probably be forgiven his run in the Bronze Cup at Ayr last month. Sweet Pursuit may be the pick of the remainder.

Formwatch

Youkan (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Not much room start, towards rear, headway 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 22l behind Atalanta's Boy (9-1) at Goodwood 6f hcp (4) hvy in Sep.

Whelans Way (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up last, strong run on near side rail under pressure inside final furlong, went never nearer 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Equitation (9-9) at Ascot 6f hcp (4) gf in Sep.

Handytalk (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 3f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Young John (9-1) at Chepstow 6f hcp (4) gs in Sep.

Iconic Knight (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, made most until headed and not pace of winner entering final furlong, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Equitation (9-9) at Ascot 6f hcp (4) gf in Sep.

Colonel Frank 10-3 (8-12) Led until ridden and headed over 1f out, hung left and lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Good Effort (9-10) at Newmarket 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.

Lucky Lucky Man (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Chased leaders stands side, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never a threat, 17th of 24, 6 1/4l behind Music Society (9-8) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.

Smokey Lane (IRE) 11-4 (9-11) Close up, headway 2f out, soon chased leader, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Leicester 6f hcp (5) hvy in Oct beating Zapper Cass (9-7) by nk, 8 ran.

Rasheeq (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Towards rear, modest effort 2f out, well beaten final furlong, 10th of 16, 12 1/4l behind Tricky Dicky (9-6) at York 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.

Sweet Pursuit 8-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, switched left and headway over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, went 2nd, stayed on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Atalanta's Boy (9-1) at Goodwood 6f hcp (4) hvy in Sep.

After John 11-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, switched left and headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, soon edged left, no impression on winner and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Atalanta's Boy (9-1) at Goodwood 6f hcp (4) hvy in Sep.

Blaine 9-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, driven 3f out, never pace to challenge, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 5 1/4l behind Handytalk (10-2) at Ffos Las 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.

Spanish Star (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Steadied and went sharply right leaving stalls, raced keenly and soon chased leaders on wide outside, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, led post, won at Bath 6f hcp (5) sft in Sep beating The Lamplighter (9-8) by hd, 8 ran.

More Than Likely 12-1 (9-7) Awkward start and rider lost iron briefly, in rear, switched right inside final furlong, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Pettochside (8-10) at Goodwood 5f hcp (5) hvy in Sep.

Upstaging 66-1 (9-2) Mid-division far side, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not quite reach leaders, 4th of 24, 1 1/4l behind Music Society (9-8) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.