Verdict

HALLINGS COMET and Journalistic are likely to dominate proceedings with the outcome likely to be determined by who handles forecast conditions most effectively. The former finished runner-up in a decent Newbury maiden last October, showing considerable future promise. Hopefully, he'll be ready for this somewhat belated reappearance and gets the nod. Journalistic was only beaten a length on his comeback run at Nottingham but something was clearly amiss last time when he was tailed off. First-time headgear is applied now and Katia Scallan takes off a useful 7lb. Grande Illusion is preferred of the remainder.

Formwatch

Before Bruce 80-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, came wide entering straight, plugged on from over 1f out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 7, 11l behind Nezami (8-11) at Warwick 1m clm stks (5) sft.

Silver Threepence 50-1 (9-6) Started slowly, ran green and always behind, last of 12, 22l behind Iffraam (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.

Grande Illusion 40-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, chsed leaders, green when not much room over 3f out, soon lost place, 9th of 12, 16l behind Trois Vallees (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.

Hallings Comet 8-1 (9-3) Slowly away and went right start, in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Assizes (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.

Journalistic (USA) 14-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, pushed along on outside over 3f out, well behind final 2f, tailed off, virtually pulled up, last of 11, well behind Forget Me Not Lane (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.

River Valley 14-1 (8-13) Dwelt, mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 23l behind Tweedle Dee (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo sll (5) gd in Aug.