Verdict

Harold's Cross won this a year ago but arrived in top form having already completed a double. He'll probably just need this before going on to the Plate. Uncle Tom Cobley is consistent but has a poor strike-rate and is probably a few pounds high, while it was only a three-runner affair that Sweet Shock won at Wetherby. Lord Redsgirth will have found 2m too short at Perth after scoring over a mile further there previously while the progressive Clouded Thoughts makes his handicap debut in this very tough event. Any Bets made too many mistakes at Roscommon but had earlier scored over the C&D in good style when BALLYHOLLAND was behind. The latter gets the vote here as he was having his first start since October but had run well in the Plate earlier and a big run here will see him head for Galway with a fighting chance.

Formwatch

Archie Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Soon led, headed 6 out, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Benny Be Good (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep, 16 ran.

Truckers Delight (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Waited with in rear of mid-division, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace, 10th of 15, well behind Whatever Jacksays (11-6) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in May.

Ballyholland (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, moderate 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, no impression before next, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 20l behind Any Bets (9-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gd in May.

Sebadee (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Prominent, no impression from before 2 out, bad mistake and kept on same pace from last, 7th of 12, 28l behind Casey Top (9-10) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp chs gd in May.

The Last Derby (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 7th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 10th of 16, 11l behind Ainama (10-5) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gs.

Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd before last, left 2nd, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Raptor (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs gd in May.

Sweet Shock (GER) 6-5fav (10-12) Chased leader, slow 1st and next, led 3rd until narrowly headed after 8th, led next, clear after 12th, in no danger after, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) sft beating Danimix (10-12) by 19l, 3 ran.

I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, left 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Raptor (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs gd in May.

Harold's Cross (AUS) 12-1 (10-2) Fell 3rd, in a race won by Seabass (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Ext hcp ch in Jan, 22 ran.

Lord Redsgirth (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Took keen hold and jumped right, chased leading pair, went right and bumped 4th, challenged going well 3 out, went 2nd last, hung right and not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Sublime Talent (11-2) at Perth 2m nov chs (4) sft.

Clouded Thoughts (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders, 5th before straight, challenged 2 out, in front at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f beg chase gd in May beating Lord Ben (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran.

Any Bets (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Led and disputed, slight mistake 7th, slight mistake 6 out, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, last of 16, 45l behind Ainama (10-5) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gs.

Trendelenburg (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) In rear, fell 10th, in a race won by Mumbles Head (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft, 17 ran.

Selection Box (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Behind, ridden and struggling before 12th, blundered 14th, tailed off when hit 4 out, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Mumbles Head (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft, 17 ran.

Jewel Of The West (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 15, 11l behind Sumkindasuprstar (10-13) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs 0-123 gd in May.

Kyle's Turn (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) In rear, awkward jump 10th, no threat after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind In Great Form (10-12) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Jan.

Best Legend (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, in touch, mistake and badly hampered 13th, soon lost place, behind and pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Mumbles Head (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft, 17 ran.

Commanchewardance (IRE) 5-1fav (9-10) Slightly hampered 1st, not fluent 5th, waited with, moderate 5th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before last where left 2nd, kept on run-in without troubling winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Any Bets (9-10) at Listowel 2m 3f hcp chs.

Pistol Jack (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no extra 4 out, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Barel Of Laughs (11-9) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-109 gd in Oct.

Island Peak (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Prominent, on terms from 6 out, led approaching 4 out, joined next, soon headed, no extra and kept on same pace 2 out, 5th of 11, 18l behind Instant Impacked (10-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gf in May.

Mat Hill (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression from last and dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Mount Sion (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hts chs gd.