Verdict

Stevie Gee won this a year ago when drawn lowest of all and this time has the highest berth. Orpsie Boy, who finished fifth that day, enters the fray in superb form and looks a threat despite being on his highest mark for two years. Runner-up MISPLACED FORTUNE looks as though she's been laid out to go one better by Nigel Tinkler who has booked Silvestre De Sousa for the ride. Just 1lb higher than a year ago despite several fine subsequent runs, she returned after a long break to run well at Ripon in May which should have put her straight. Klynch, like Orpsie Boy trained by Ruth Carr, is another going very well at present and should be involved and Valery Borzov would have an excellent chance if the rains arrived though today's going shouldn't prove too much of a problem. Bonnie Charlie has now dropped to a very tempting mark and it will be a surprise if Dandy Nicholls doesn't get races out of him sooner rather than later.

Formwatch

Mass Rally (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Behind, headway when not much room 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 15l behind Imperial Djay (9-3) at Newcastle 7f hcp 105 (2) gs in Jun.

Barney McGrew (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, switched right and stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 6l behind Piazza San Pietro (9-1) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.

Zero Money (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden over 2f out, challenged 1f out, edged right entering final furlong, weakened and lost 2 places last 100 yards, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Reel Buddy Star (9-7) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.

Orpsie Boy (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Collect Art (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.

Internationaldebut (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) In rear, headway when hung left over 1f out, kept on, never a threat, 6th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Smarty Socks (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.

Klynch 5-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Thunderball (9-5) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.

Misplaced Fortune 13-2 (9-13) Raced wide in touch, effort over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Pepper Lane (9-0) at Ripon 6f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.

Valery Borzov (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Le Toreador (9-11) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jun.

Marvellous Value (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 12th of 13, 13l behind Edinburgh Knight (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Jun.

Amenable (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden and outpaced 2f out, lost place over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 14l behind Edinburgh Knight (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Jun.

Oldjoesaid 13-2 (9-11) In rear and pushed along, never dangerous, last of 7, 12l behind Master Rooney (9-7) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.

Grissom (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 5th of 10, 4l behind Roker Park (9-9) at Chester 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.

Bonnie Charlie 15-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Roker Park (9-4) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.

Shifting Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 7l behind Orpsie Boy (9-6) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.

Cornus 7-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to press winner to line, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Powerful Pierre (9-0) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.

Stevie Gee (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) In touch, effort on stands' rail and every chance approaching final furlong, chased winner final 150 yards, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Serena's Pride (8-10) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.

Olynard (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling halfway, 13th of 15, 16l behind Kanaf (9-11) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.