Verdict

A bumper winner on last year's debut, BARNEY COOL made a promising start to his hurdling career when just failing to catch Kaysersberg at Kempton earlier this month. He had a previous winner 10 lengths back in third and David Pipe's charge looks capable of opening his account in this. Many Clouds also took the eye on his reappearance over a shorter trip at this track when runner-up to the progressive Gevrey Chamberlin. He should be in the mix along with Minella Forfitness, a point-to-point and bumper winner at Kempton making his hurdling and seasonal debut. Mcllhatton has a pipe-opener in a bumper at Chepstow under his belt and is another to note on his hurdling bow along with Ballytober and Shuh Shuh Gah.

Formwatch

Ballytober 2-1fav (11-9) Chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed entering final 2f, no extra final furlong, 4th of 7, 13l behind Make A Track (11-2) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) sft in Feb '11.

Barney Cool 11-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway between 4 out and 3 out, went 2nd traveling well 2 out, ridden and every chance last, ran on but held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Kaysersberg (10-9) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.

Cruz On Ted 5-2fav (11-2) Keen tracked leaders, chased winner 6f out until ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Come On Laurie (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in May.

Fergall (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed bypassing omitted last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Milarrow (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.

Flaming Charmer (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders and not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Orabora (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (5) sft.

Gorhams Gift 50-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 9th of 13, 47l behind Azure Fly (10-13) at Stratford 2m cond NH flat (6) gs in Jul.

Lord Grantham (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 6th, headway next, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Fox Run (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.

Many Clouds (IRE) 5-4 (11-0) Led, joined after last (usual 4 out), ridden over 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.

Mcllhatton (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway 7f out, chased leader sover 3f out, led briefly inside final 3f, held when slightly hampered and dropped to 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Regal Encore (11-7) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) sft in Oct.

Minella Forfitness (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, took keen hold, lost place after 4f, not clear run 5f out, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 19, 21l behind The New One (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.

Shuh Shuh Gah (IRE) 11-10fav (11-11) Led, jinked right over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Brass Monkey (11-1) at Southwell 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in May.

The Potting Shed (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden after 8th, no real progress, mistake and well beaten 3 out, hit last, 6th of 8, 27l behind Atlantic Roller (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) sft.