Verdict

It's fair to say that Sud Pacifique hasn't progressed as expected over hurdles, his sole success coming in a modest affair at Cartmel in June. He was a beaten favourite again at Bangor last month and is worth opposing here with PIMENT D'ESTRUVAL. A winning chaser, he was entitled to need the run here last month but battled on bravely to get the better of the four-year-old Unex Degas and appears to have rediscovered his vigour. God's County is the other interesting one having been placed several times in Ireland, though he makes his debut for Sophie Leech today.

Formwatch

Piment D'Estruval (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, held up behind, headway and in touch 4th, led after 2 out, ridden after last, kept on under pressure flat, just held on, won at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Unex Degas (10-7) by nk, 12 ran.

Sud Pacifique (IRE) 6-5fav (11-3) Tracked leader, pushed along 4th, soon outpaced, headway to chase leaders 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Forgotten Voice (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.

Coffee (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 4th, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 6, 15l behind Forgotten Voice (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.

God's County (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, led from 3 out, headed before last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Realt Den Chathair (11-4) at Wexford 2m mdn hdl gf in Jul.

Midnight Mustang 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 1st, weakened approaching 5th, 10th of 12, 41l behind Max Milano (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs.

Road To Recovery 100-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, pushed along after 4th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 23l behind Latest Trend (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.

The Names Harry 66-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, weakened before last, tailed off, 5th of 10, 26l behind Ahyaknowyerself (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.

Thomas Bell (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, struggling after 3 out, soon behind, 9th of 12, 34l behind Piment D'estruval (10-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.

El Camino Real (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 4th, fell next, in a race won by Max Milano (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs, 12 ran.

On Alert 50-1 (10-10) Raced keenly, mistrake 1st, held up in last pair, struggling 5th, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 10, 39l behind Ahyaknowyerself (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.