Verdict

If the rain stays away then the ground just might be against Zabeel Tower so instead we turn to NINTH HOUSE to land this handicap and keep up a decent run of form for Ruth Carr's string while Hel's Angel looks next best. It's been a landmark season for trainer Ruth Carr has she continues to be amongst the winners and the pick has been part of that success. A winner when taking advantage of a nice looking mark two starts ago he then chased home the winner after coming from way back to finish second best under a penalty last time. His burden still looks fair based on the seven-year-old's all-weather form so another bold bid is expected. Zabeel Tower's recent best has come on softer ground but if the rain does arrive then he ha to be respected off a good looking mark at a track he likes. Hel's Angel ran a good race in defeat last time and is still weighted to challenge and if Rookwith takes up this engagement instead of going to Ireland then he is also on the shortlist. A good competitive contest that could go the way of the in form Ninth House.

Formwatch

Distant Sun (USA) 14-1 (9-8) Raced stand side, held up, raced keenly, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 15, 8l behind We Have A Dream (9-1) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.

Zabeel Tower 10-3fav (9-12) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside from 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven and hung right inside final furlong, no extra and headed near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Morocchius (8-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.

Hel's Angel (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Keen, held up in touch, locked away and nowhere to go from 3f out, travelling well, squeezed through inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Desire To Excel (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.

Grand Diamond (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway under pressure 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 7l behind Royal Destination (9-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.

Ninth House (USA) 4-1fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on strongly final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, nk behind Mozayada (9-1) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.

Willyn (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, soon chasing winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Whaston (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.

Papa's Princess 17-2 (8-8) Led 1f, with leader, led over 4f out, hard driven 2f out, headed 1f out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Masterofceremonies (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m 1f 4yo sell stks (6) gd in Jul.

Rookwith (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 1 1/2f out, ridden into 8th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 21, 1 1/2l behind Birregurra (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 1f app hcp gf in Jul.