Verdict

Bonnie Prince Blue would not be winning out of turn and has slipped to the sort of mark that suggests he will go very close but, in an open heat, we will chance MASTER LEON. Bryan Smart's recent runners have been going well and this Monsieur Bond colt recorded his sole win over course and distance in a maiden in January, when well backed. Recent efforts have largely been dismal, but he did offer some hope here over 7f two starts ago and he is a tentative pick. Nadeen has to be feared after going close here last time. He is 2lb higher today but should be very competitive, along with Amary, who has dropped by the same amount in the handicap. Kinigi is another who is entitled to be in the shake-up for some prize money.

Formwatch

Cut The Cackle (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, raced far side, outpaced, 15th of 16, 9l behind Sharpened Edge (9-5) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.

Amary (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 7l behind Curtains (9-2) at Brighton 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.

Nadeen (IRE) 17-2 (9-6) Held up, headway on inside to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, headed final strides, 2nd of 11, nk behind Victorian Bounty (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.

Conry (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, soon hanging left, switched right and still hung left over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Lord Of The Dance (9-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.

Kinigi (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden after 2f, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 2l behind La Capriosa (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.

Bonnie Prince Blue 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway to press leaders over 1f out, stayed on near finish, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Salerosa (9-7) at Southwell 7f clm stks (6) fbs.

King's Wonder 9-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, held up in touch in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Matsunosuke (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks (6) pol.

Johannesgray (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Spinning Spirit (8-7) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.

Master Leon 12-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, headway on outer to track leader over 4f out, led halfway, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 5th of 11, 8l behind Lutine Bell (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

Cardinal 6-1 (9-4) Raced wide, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 11, 5l behind Victorian Bounty (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.

Orchid Wing 15-8fav (9-0) With leaders, ridden, every chance from over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Italian Tom (9-7) at Southwell 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.

Flying Applause 11-1 (9-6) Slightly hampered start, towards rear, outpaced halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 16l behind Medici Time (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug '09.

Electioneer (USA) 15-2 (9-2) In rear and pushed along, never able to challenge, 7th of 8, 6l behind Spinning Spirit (8-7) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.

Charles Parnell (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Slowly away, never a factor, 9th of 11, 10l behind Victorian Bounty (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.