Verdict

Ballybanks has been knocking on the door and his amateur rider takes off 7lb. Gunner Rose was only beaten a neck at Worcester last month and is only 2lb higher here while Or De Grugy is starting to look well handicapped, though it's a while since he's shown any worthwhile form. WORTH A KING'S didn't take to fences last summer but could do better second-time around having won a couple of times over hurdles in May. The soft ground won't be a problem and he shouldn't be far away if his jumping holds up.

Formwatch

Livvy Inn (USA) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in touch on inside, struggling 5th, soon ridden, tailed off, last of 7, 45l behind Spirit Of A Nation (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Aug.

Festival King (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, hit 2 out, ridden approaching and challenged last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Vallani (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb '11.

Gunner Rose 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, challenged 10th, led 13th, edged right 3 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Local Present (10-0) at Worcester 2m 7f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd in Sep.

Or de Grugy (FR) 8-1 (9-11) Raced in 2nd and 3rd, dropped to 3rd 12th, hit 15th and 4 out, ridden and weakened next, poor 5th when pulled up before last, in a race won by Night In Milan (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.

Worth A King's 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 14, 27l behind Coffee (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.

Ballybanks (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leader until before 6th, not fluent 7th, bad mistake next, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Ruttan Lake (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in Aug.

Legbeforewicket 100-1 (10-9) Behind, struggling 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off when left 4th 3 out, 4th of 8, well behind Aneyeforaneye (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Sep.

Bob Will (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Mid-division, mistake 1st, outpaced 8th, went 5th before 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 28l behind Tregaro (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sep.

Secret Desert 15-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 12th, no chance with easy winner when mistake 3 out, lost remote 2nd next, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Ruttan Lake (10-0) at Perth 3m hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Aug.

Barr Head (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, struggling 11th, soon behind, pulled up 5 out, in a race won by Shoegazer (11-12) at Southwell 3m nov chs (4) gd in Jul, 11 ran.