Verdict

Dabbers Ridge won this a year ago and proved a fine advertisement for the skills of local handler Ian McInnes, who won four races with him. A recent run at Wolverhampton will have put him straight and he looks certain to go well if allowed to take part on ground firmer than he likes but a strict interpretation of form shows OPUS MAXIMUS in the best light. Mark Johnston's won a Musselburgh seller in October but landed a Chester handicap from a mark of 85 in June and that's better than any of these could manage. Rowan Lodge and Bajan Pride were 1-2 in this two years ago and enjoy the stiff uphill climb though they were both racing from a mark of 61 and have plenty to find.

Formwatch

Avontuur (FR) 28-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 12l behind Sir Nod (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.

Bajan Pride 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, led narrowly over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 19l behind General Tufto (9-3) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.

Bold Indian (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear and keen, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 12, well behind Without Equal (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.

Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) In rear, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind John Potts (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.

Master Of Dance (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 14, 8l behind Al Aqabah (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.

Opus Maximus (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, no extra when headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Erinjay (9-3) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) std in Jan.

Rowan Lodge (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) Held up towards rear and keen, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, last of 8, 42l behind Master Of Dance (9-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Sep.

Tiger Hawk (USA) 28-1 (8-1) Outpaced, 9th of 10, 20l behind Count Bertoni (8-10) at Southwell 1m Classified Claiming Stakes (0-65) (4yo+) (6) fbs in Mar.

White Deer (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, no impression and one pace, 7th of 11, 8l behind John Potts (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.

Kheskianto (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) In rear, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 8l behind Bold Bomber (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.

Love In The West (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 5, 20l behind Visions Of Johanna (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Feb.