Verdict

Four-year-olds have a tremendous record in this as do favourites though John Dunlop won it last year with the outsider Spanish Duke, who didn't win again and is 5lb higher. Halfsin completed a hat-trick in the early part of last season but was hit hard by the assessor and might be just a few pounds high. It's difficult to know what to make of Dick Doughtywylie, who was having only his third start when landing a Chester maiden, though it's quite possible he starts off in handicaps on a very favourable mark. RESURGE finished runner-up a year ago and landed a C&D handicap in June. He was in poor form for the remainder of the season which is why he's on a very lowly mark and, as he likes the track, can hopefully bounce back and take this. Tres Coronas was behind him in that race in June but today's much softer conditions should help him get very much closer and he arrives in very good form after his Newcastle success.

Formwatch

Fiery Lad (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Jamr (8-10) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f hcap in Feb.

Spanish Duke (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Vesuve (9-2) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f cond Stakes (3) gs in Aug.

Halfsin (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 6l behind Barbican (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Handicap (Heritage) (3yo) (2) gd in Sep.

Sirvino 16-1 (9-5) Raced wide tracked leaders, wide into straight 3f out, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 16, 6l behind Charles Camoin (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.

Askaud (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Brae Hill (9-1) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gd in Mar.

Oceanway (USA) 9-1 (8-8) Soon led, headed 8f out, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Junoob (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.

Resurge (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 12th of 23, 19l behind Zuider Zee (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.

Dick Doughtywylie 5-6fav (9-3) Led early, pressed leader, led over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, held on, won at Chester 1m 2f mdn stks (4) gs in Sep beating Fruehling (9-3) by nk, 10 ran.

Right Step 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, hampered over 2f out, clipped heels, stumbled and unseated rider, in a race won by Kirthill (8-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Oct, 16 ran.

Tres Coronas (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Mid-division, steady headway from over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft beating Ailsa Craig (8-9) by 1l, 16 ran.

Ramona Chase 25-1 (8-6) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Charles Camoin (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.

Ittirad (USA) 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakening when bumped over 1f out, 13th of 15, 18l behind Status Symbol (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug.

Ingleby Spirit 4-1 (9-4) Held up in last trio, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Miss Aix (9-1) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.

Fadhaa (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Headway to track leader 8f out, led halfway, pressed from 2f out, soon narrowly headed, stayed challenging winner until no extra closing stages, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Shalloon (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.

Good Boy Jackson 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 14l behind West End Lad (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.