Verdict

Plenty in with a chance here but Michael Dods has a strong hand with recent Ayr winner The Oil Magnate and MOHAWK RIDGE. The former may need more cut and the latter is preferred as he won on decent ground at Catterick before finishing a creditable third in much better company than this last time. Mina's Boy is 5lb higher and upped in class in an attempt to land a four-timer, while Jeu De Roseau has also gone up 5lb for a C&D victory in July, but arrives on the back of a recent win over hurdles and should figure again. It was soft ground when Puy D'Arnac won here earlier this month but joint top weight Harvey's Hope isn't out of this dropping back down in grade.

Formwatch

Harvey's Hope 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, chased leaders under pressure over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Palazzo Bianco (8-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.

Blackmore 4-1fav (9-5) Dwelt held up, never a factor, 10th of 17, 19l behind Dark Ranger (8-7) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.

The Oil Magnate 12-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Herrera (9-4) by nk, 8 ran.

Mohawk Ridge 12-1 (8-7) Close up, tracked winner from stable bend, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd when weakened last 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Taikoo (9-0) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (4) sft.

John Forbes 10-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear and keen, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 11l behind Taikoo (9-0) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (4) sft.

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.

Jeu De Roseau (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Petella (9-7) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.

Hunting Tower 9-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, some late headway from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 14, 11l behind Golan Guy (8-12) at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp 50-80 gd.

Circus Clown (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Held up mid-division, reminders over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Puy D'Arnac (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft.

First Rock (IRE) 3-1 (8-9) Led 1f, with leader until led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, held when hampered entering final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Calculating (8-11) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in May.

Miereveld 6-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, pushed along 7f out, one pace final 4f, no chance, 4th of 7, 33l behind All My Heart (8-13) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Aug.

Birdwatcher (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) In rear, ridden 5f out, soon struggling, behind final 4f, 7th of 8, well behind Caravan Rolls On (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Mina's Boy 3-1fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven over 5f out, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, rider mistook half furlong marker for winning post, soon strongly challenged, just held on, won at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug beating Drawn Gold (10-0) by ns, 11 ran.