Verdict

Scotsbrook Cloud scored off a mark of 82 here last October but three further successes have seen his rating soar to 113. He battled on admirably to land the spoils at Ludlow last time on return from an absence and will surely go well once more. However, he is down in trip here and course winner THE COMPOSER rates a viable alternative at the foot of the weights. Solid, reliable and consistent, he gets on well with Jimmy McCarthy and looks sure to run his race. Gulf President, Castlerock and Strumble Head have been absent for some time but all can boast decent claims if ready for their respective returns to action.

Formwatch

Agente Romano (USA) 4-1 (11-12) Held up torwads rear, headway 4 out, effort 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Sweet World (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.

Scotsbrook Cloud 16-1 (11-1) Held up, mistake 1st, not fluent 7th, closed next, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, hard pressed towards finish, just held on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Makhzoon (11-9) by ns, 10 ran.

Gulf President 9-4 (10-11) Chased leader after 1st, led going well after 3 out, in command 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul beating Symphonica (10-0) by 13l, 8 ran.

Castlerock 7-1 (11-4) Close up until weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Mic's Delight (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.

Beta Blocker 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd after 3 out, 4th approaching next, soon dropped to 5th and no impression, 5th of 15, 20l behind Old Theatre Royal (11-10) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Apr.

Mango Catcher (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, struggling approaching 7th, 5th of 6, 30l behind Grand Lahou (11-6) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.

Strumble Head (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled before 2 out, in a race won by Eighteen Carat (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.

The Composer 11-4fav (10-13) Set moderate pace, headed after 5th, led again when not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Orion Express (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.

Walls Way 13-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 3 out, driven next, soon strongly challenged, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Always Cruising (9-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) fm.