Verdict

Riptide, who won over fences at Wetherby in April, ran very well when a close fourth at York last month and can race from the same mark here. Dr Finley is a very consistent stayer so it's a surprise that he's only won once in 14 starts on the Flat Puy D'Arnac had just under a length to spare over Spice Bar over the C&D last month but the runner-up can take his revenge this time, though it's FIRST ROCK who is handed the vote. Alan Swinbank's charge, a dual winning bumper, ran his best race to date on the Flat when just touched off by Hunting Tower over the C&D a couple of weeks ago and can go one better.

Formwatch

The Oil Magnate 25-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear and keen, headway over 2f out, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Hunting Tower (9-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.

Riptide 12-1 (9-1) Led after 3f, set steady pace, quickened over 6f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on well, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Bow To No One (9-10) at York 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.

Dr Finley (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) In touch in main group, not much room and lost place over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlng, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind May Contain Nuts (8-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.

Dice (IRE) 11-8fav (9-9) Ran in snatches, tracked leaders, chased winner 2f out, driven to challenge inside final furlong, outbattled towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Khayar (8-9) at Warwick 1m 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct '09.

Puy d'Arnac (FR) 9-2fav (8-1) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 12l behind Taikoo (9-0) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Sep.

Gaselee (USA) 20-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened approaching final 2f, 5th of 11, 11l behind L Frank Baum (10-0) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sep.

Lady Bluesky 9-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 8l behind Miss Ferney (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.

Herrera (IRE) 11-2fav (10-6) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 6l behind Dean Iarracht (10-3) at Beverley 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.

First Rock (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Hunting Tower (9-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.

River Dragon (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, chased leaders on outer, led over 8f out, clear over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 9l behind Puy D'Arnac (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sep.

Maid Of Meft 14-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, outpaced on outside over 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 11l behind Think Its All Over (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Spice Bar 9-2 (8-11) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Puy D'Arnac (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sep.

Willow's Wish 33-1 (8-12) Outpaced, last of 12, well behind Jack's Revenge (8-12) at Southwell 1m Maiden Handicap (0-55) (3yo) (6) fbs in Feb.