Verdict

LUKEYS LUCK was in good form over the winter and made a highly encouraging comeback at Southwell. This is more his trip and he can resume winning ways with Compton Blue looking high enough in the weights on his handicap debut and Avanos 10lb higher than when scoring over 2m1f here last month. Parc Des Princes didn't fare badly over 2m4f at Bangor and is open to improvement over this longer trip, however, and is preferred to the one-paced maiden Formulation and the disappointing Brunston.

Formwatch

Compton Blue 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 5th, ridden before last, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 12, 2l behind Forgotten Symphony (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.

Amazing King (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Greyfriars Drummer (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.

Lukeys Luck 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, slow 5th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Sky Calling (10-5) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.

Formulation (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, smooth headway after 4 out, chased winner before next, kept on same pace in clear 2nd from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 17l behind Awaywiththegreys (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jun.

Gunslinger (FR) 3-1fav (10-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, closed 7th, brought wide and close 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Mr Jay Dee (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov, 6 ran.

Pas Trop Tard (FR) 16-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, in touch in 7th when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Forgotten Symphony (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul, 12 ran.

Brunston 11-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, blunderd next, 8th of 14, 36l behind Fashionable Gal (10-8) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Jul.

Parc des Princes (USA) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, kept on from last, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind The Mad Robertson (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Jul.

Avanos (FR) 3-1fav (9-13) Slowly away, behind, headway 10th, mistake next, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Ballybough Gorta (10-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.