Verdict

Jaffonien has been largely disappointing since arriving from Ireland and Gentleman Jeff has failed to reproduce a good second at Catterick in three subsequent starts. MIKE TOWEY, already successful in a point-to-point, a bumper and over hurdles, made the promising Maoi Chinn Tire pull out all the stops at Cartmel on his second start over fences and can go one better in this as he has the edge in experience over stablemate Strumble Head, who will do better over further.

Formwatch

Gentleman Jeff (USA) 25-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, mistake 1st, chased leader until 7th, chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 2 out, 7th of 10, 27l behind Swift Arrow (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.

Jaffonnien (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Raced in 2nd place, ridden after 2 out, dropped to last place, beaten when fell last, in a race won by Mister Matt (10-4) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr, 3 ran.

Mike Towey (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2nd, led 4th, headed 6th, hit 7th, not fluent next, close 2nd when not fluent 2 out or last, soon led, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd.

Strumble Head (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Led until 8th, led again after next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Hills Of Aran (11-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.

Sweet Willow 33-1 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, well behind after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Mythical Warrior (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.