Verdict

Roger Beantown went in to many a notebook when runner-up at Chepstow last time despite being beaten at odds-on. He should be spot-on now and is definite shortlist material and it would be no surprise to see him go one better despite the concession of weight all round. Ulys Du Charmil looks one to keep an eye on off an attractive mark but he hasn't been seen since May and last month's smooth Stratford scorer, Tanerko Emery looks a likelier sort. He had plenty in hand that day and could well have got in here lightly. However, the choice is Irish raider, BUY BACK BOB. It's interesting that Tony Martin has chosen to come here rather than take in a straightforward maiden hurdle task for which he would look nailed on. He has gone well on all three hurdling starts, has a strong catalogue of Flat performances to his name and AP McCoy has been booked for the ride.

Formwatch

Roger Beantown (IRE) 8-15fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd 4 out, hit 2 out, soon ridden, no real impression when left 3 lengths 2nd last, driven and closed flat, always held, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Orabora (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (5) sft.

Swampfire (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Led, hit 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, chased leader, rallied gamely flat, led again close home, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Turn Over Sivola (11-5) by nk, 9 ran.

Falcarragh (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out ridden to chase winner last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Lordofthehouse (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs.

Canadian Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, travelling on bit and led approaching 2 out, pushed clear, mistake last, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct beating The Lemonpie (10-12) by 8l, 14 ran.

Buy Back Bob (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge approaching last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 22, 1 1/2l behind Passage Vendome (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gd in May.

Brick Red 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression when lost 3rd soon after last, weakened soon after, 6th of 16, 18l behind Ivor's King (10-13) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.

Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, not fluent 2nd, headway to challenge on outside 3 out, led narrowly approaching next, ridden clear briefly flat, just held on when hard pressed towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Eduard (10-12) by hd, 11 ran.

Ulys Du Charmil (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Close up, led approaching 2 out, ridden and ran on flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May beating Unex Degas (10-7) by 1l, 14 ran.

Able Deputy 80-1 (9-7) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and every chance after last, no extra final 110 yards, 6th of 14, 7l behind Module (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.

Reaction 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, led next, ridden clear before last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Oct beating Peaks Of Fire (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.

Kings Destiny 6-4fav (11-0) Pressed winner until 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 31l behind Latest Trend (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.

Ladies Dancing 20-1 (10-12) Chased winner until 6th, went 2nd again well before 2 out until before 2 out, driven and weakened last, 4th of 9, 8l behind Swampfire (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.

Tanerko Emery (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, led last, ran on, won at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct beating Mon Desir (10-9) by 2l, 7 ran.

Zafaraban (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway to modest 4th before 2 out, went 3rd after 2 out, hit last and reminder, pushed along and kept on steadily flat, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Old Tricks (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.

Vimiero (USA) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inside, headway after 5th, switched right before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Drumlang (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.

Take Of Shoc's (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Led after 1st until 4th, weakened 2 out, 21st of 22, 47l behind Dark Lover (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.

Shabak Hom (IRE) 6-5fav (11-13) Keen tracked leaders, hit 3 out, led before and hit 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 4th of 5, 10l behind Ironical (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Oct.

Super Duplex 14-1 (10-13) In rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 7l behind General Ting (11-5) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.