The penalised Castletown Boy is the clear form pick here after an easy victory last time. Having shown promise in bumpers, the selection looks to have improved when flights were put in front of him and in particular on quicker ground. Beaten by the smart Or D'Oudairies on his penultimate start, he landed what was admittedly a weak Cartmel contest but his style of victory was taking, travelling strongly throughout and winning hard on the bridle. Dropping back to two miles here should not inconvenience Castletown Boy. He sets a high standard and is difficult to oppose. Corkage was thought good enough to contest the Cheltenham bumper by connections. He made his hurdling debut last time where he never travelled with any conviction over 2m 5f. It is doubtful that stamina alone could be offered as the reason for his defeat as he was beaten so far out and he is best watched today after that showing. Desert Stag is another that showed some promise in weak bumpers but has been well beaten in two outings to date over hurdles, the first of which was contested by Castletown Boy. It is hard to make a case for the remainder although for future reference it is worth keeping an eye on Hernando Cortes, a former Ballydoyle in-mate who will be handicapped following this run. Castletown Boy is the pick to land it.
Castletown Boy (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led next, 4 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Danny Zuko (10-12) by 11l, 8 ran.
Bud White 40-1 (10-12) Lost touch 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by King Caine (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Corkage (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 39l behind Recovery Man (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Desert Stag 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, left in lead after 3rd, headed when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Follow On (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Fire At Will 20-1 (11-5) Towards rear, some headway to moderate 7th before 2 out, kept on same pace, 8th of 15, 29l behind Piper's Knowe (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gd in May.
Haroum (USA) 28-1 (9-11) Prominent, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 45l behind Storm Prospect (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
I'm Gunner Be Fine 33-1 (10-11) Led, headed after 1st, prominent to halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Weather Front (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
Mexican Onyx (USA) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd when fell 4 out in race won by Jewel Of The West (11-4) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl frm in May, 17 ran.
Noble Edge 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 10, 17l behind European Dream (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '06.
Cybersnow (USA) 8-1 (9-7) Led and disputed, headed before straight, soon dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Sagarich (9-2) at Wexford 1m 4f mdn stk gd (Flat).
Deadline (UAE) 80-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 15, 25l behind Southern Regent (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Hernando Cortes 14-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 46l behind First Buddy (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
River Mint 9-2 (10-13) In touch, lost place over 5f out, soon behind, 12th of 14, well behind Rubys Cove (11-2) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd.
Jane Doe 20-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led 6f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Sindanna (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Forsters Plantin 100-1 (10-5) In rear, jumped slow 2nd, soon tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Sharp Dresser (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Hello Honey 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon one pace, 7th of 12, 13l behind Cuigny (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Apr.
