Verdict

Dropped back to this stiff 10f SADLER'S MARK can come good on his second try in handicap company, while Monkton Vale and River Ardeche are others with claims. The selection is trained by Tom Tate, who has enjoyed a good Flat campaign so far, and his Sadler's Wells gelding had three improving maiden runs before finishing last on his Ripon handicap debut last month. The hold-up tactics would not have been ideal for that track but they can work well here and a 2lb drop in the weights will do no harm so we will take him to score. Monkton Vale is another who finished last on his most recent start, in his case over a similar trip to this at Chester. He is already a proven stayer over 1m 4f and acts on fast ground, so provided this track suits him better he should be bang there. River Ardeche is another with proven stamina and although he is thoroughly exposed he hails from a yard in good form and may be capable of posting a very good effort. Jackson would be interesting if backed, while Knight's Victory will relish conditions and trip although has fitness to prove, and Sadler's Mark is suggested.

Formwatch

Jackson (BRZ) (8-7) 2nd of 11, 6l behind Kerashan (8-12) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 1m 3f hcp gd in Jan.

Autumn Harvest 9-1 (9-2) Steadied at start and held up in rear, effort over 3f out, no impression, last of 6, 22l behind Cape Colony (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun '09.

Alsahil (USA) 66-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 14th of 16, 24l behind Brushing (9-6) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.

Knight's Victory (IRE) 11-2 (8-3) Behind, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 19l behind Distant Memories (9-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Sep.

River Ardeche 33-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, switched right over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken when tightened up inside final furlong, no impression after, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Hel's Angel (9-2) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.

Monkton Vale (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Pulled hard in touch on outside, hard driven over 2f out, soon weakened, eased 1f out, last of 7, 33l behind Zuider Zee (9-1) at Chester 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.

Holiday Cocktail 8-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 12l behind Highland Love (8-8) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.

Sadler's Mark 4-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, last of 6, 16l behind Beat The Rush (9-3) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.

Epic (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Layla's Lexi (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.