Shortlisted in the opener are Briery Lane, The History Man and Harrison's Flyer, with the selection being Briery Lane. Seven No Trumps likes soft going and would hold solid claims on even last year's best form and his Hamilton run last time was a bit more like it. Briery Lane, who also likes give in the going, is very well-weighted based on his form of last season and he has to be given strong consideration based on that. The History Man is another that will love the going and he has also dropped to a very good mark if anywhere near his best form of last season. Jilly Why is now two pounds below a winning mark from 2005 and the drop back from six furlongs should work in her favour so she is another to give some thought to. Garstang is respected based on his six-furlong course win on heavy of a just over a year ago, while Vanadium is back to his winning mark based on his Newcastle six-furlong win last summer, and he too can handle testing conditions. Finally, you can also build the case for Harrison's Flyer even though he is running under a penalty. It all adds up to a tricky opener, with the selection being Briery Lane.
Harrison's Flyer (IRE) 15-8fav (9-8) Held up in rear, ridden, headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Jun beating Gone'n'dunnett (8-9) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Vanadium 16-1 (9-12) In touch, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 9l behind Dark Champion (8-6) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Garstang 25-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, behind and outpaced, headway final furlong, ran on well, joined leader on line, won at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun deadheating with Gallery Girl (9-6), 10 ran.
Jilly Why (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In touch and led after 1f, driven and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Misphire (9-11) at Haydock 6f fll hcp (5) hvy in Jun.
The History Man (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 9l behind Monte Major (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Briery Lane (IRE) 6-1fav (9-4) Raced centre, chased leaders over 4f, 9th of 15, 9l behind Dakota Rain (9-11) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Seven No Trumps 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Katie Boo (9-3) at Hamilton 5f hcap (6) gf in Jun.
Town House 100-1 (8-2) Held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, last of 10, 8l behind Hoh Hoh Hoh (9-13) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
White Ledger (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division and keen, weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 11l behind Elvina (9-0) at W'hampton 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Sydneyroughdiamond 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and under pressure 3f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 10l behind Toms Laughter (9-1) at Chepstow 6f mdn hcp (5) sft in Jun.
