Verdict

Pin D'Estruval had the run of the race when beating Dean's Grange at Newton Abbot and has more on his plate here off a 6lb higher mark. JIM TANGO is interesting as he doesn't look badly handicapped back over fences after a couple of confidence-boosting wins over hurdles. Donald McCain's seven-year-old gets the nod as Tilly Ann, second on her reappearance at Market Rasen, may need softer ground to show her best. Restezen D'Armor and Mccauley both return from a break but could figure if fully wound-up, along with Up To The Mark, but it's hard to make a case for Adajal judged on recent efforts.

Formwatch

Restezen D'armor (FR) 9-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, dropped into mid-division after 4th, lost place approaching 10th, well beaten before 4 out, 8th of 11, 48l behind Russian Epic (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.

McCauley (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Soon off the pace, struggling in 7th before 4 out, never on terms, 9th of 12, 40l behind Takeroc (11-7) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (5) gd in May.

Midnight Opera 9-2 (11-7) Led, hard driven 3 out, headed before next, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 8l behind Temple Place (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Aug.

Tilly Ann (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in last, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, in touch but waited with before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon shaken up, left 2nd last, closed on winner, never near to challenge, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Zorro De La Vega (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.

Up To The Mark 8-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 7th, ridden after 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, 6th of 11, 45l behind Russian Epic (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.

Pin D'Estruval (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Made all, clear 4 out until 2 out, held on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf beating Dean's Grange (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.

Jim Tango (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led after 4th, ridden approaching 2out, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Sentimentaljourney (10-11) by 1/2l, 4 ran.

Michigan Assassin (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, led until after 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 7, 21l behind Cappagh (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.

Adajal (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up disputing 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon weakenend, 4th of 6, 25l behind Mister Fantastic (10-13) at Stratford 2m am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.

Saddlers Deal (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders in 4th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 7, 21l behind Tahiti Pearl (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.