Verdict

This does not look the best of races in terms of quality and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Ben Haslam's IVESTAR, who was well adrift of the winner but still ran well when second to Spruce in a similar contest at Southwell when last seen in February and he looks worth siding with racing off a 5lb lower mark today with the main dangers rated as Green Poppy and Quadrifolio. Paul Green's gelding showed improved form in a handicap at Wolverhampton last time and has claims back on turf. Alan McCabe's Fortezza has shown gradual improvement in recent outings and should be thereabouts again, while Cheveyo remains a maiden after 13 starts and is likely to remain so after this event. Bryan Smart's Green Poppy has shown some promise but is another that is a long-standing maiden and preference is for Ivestar, who can fulfil the promise of his latest start at Southwell.

Formwatch

Ivestar (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Tracked winner, driven over 3f out, soon under pressure, weakened over 2f out, last of 2, 25l behind Spruce (8-6) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn hcp (5) fbs in Feb.

Towthorpe 33-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, lost place over 2f out, 7th of 11, 12l behind Justonefortheroad (9-3) at Redcar 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.

Cheveyo (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear and pushed along, ridden over 1f out, no headway, 9th of 11, 5l behind Ask Jenny (9-4) at Catterick 5f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.

Red China Blues (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, effort on outside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 17l behind Chicamia (7-13) at Carlisle 1m app hcp (6) gf in May.

Green Poppy 7-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 1f out, 7th of 13, 9l behind Fourtowns Flyer (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.

Mackintosh (IRE) 20-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 12l behind Buxton (9-4) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.

Fortezza 9-2 (8-4) Slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden halfway, went 3rd under pressure over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Scruffy Skip (9-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in May.

Towy Boy (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final fulong, beaten when eased towards finish, last of 9, 19l behind Sirjosh (8-0) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.

Boy Racer (IRE) 80-1 (9-0) Held up and keen, weakened 3f out, last of 7, well behind Oddsmaker (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m 4f sell stks (6) gs in Oct.

Bold Bomber 50-1 (7-12) Slowly into stride, switched left soon after start, soon behind, 8th of 10, 22l behind Justcallmehandsome (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.

Balzarine 125-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, weakening when not much room over 1f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Carrie's Magic (8-12) at Redcar 6f fll mdn stks (5) gf in May.

Misterisland (IRE) 50-1 (7-13) In rear, hanging left and behind 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 13, 8l behind Ryedane (8-8) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.

Quadrifolio 40-1 (7-12) Slowly into stride, wide and headway halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Portrush Storm (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.

Karate Queen 22-1 (8-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 10, 21l behind Arizona John (9-2) at Redcar 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (5) fm in Jul.

Lunar Lass 100-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 6, 21l behind Fairy Shoes (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f mdn stks (5) gf in May.