Verdict

Successful five times on the Flat in France, War Singer ran well for a long way in what looked an above-average novice event at Newbury earlier this month and should prove best of David Pipe's quartet here. But we still prefer TED SPREAD, who was also taking on decent opposition on his hurdling debut at Ascot. He finished fourth but endured a troubled passage and probably has more to offer. Rowan Tiger wasn't winning out of turn at Bangor and should give another good account while Battlecat ran well against the useful Prospect Wells at Chepstow and is open to improvement. Castletown Bridge has been a little disappointing over hurdles so far however.

Formwatch

Rowan Tiger 5-4fav (10-12) Made all, clear before last, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Hidden (10-12) by 9l, 15 ran.

Battlecat 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in rear, headway when mistake 4 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Prospect Wells (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.

Castletown Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led briefly when wandered and headed 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, no impression from next, 7th of 14, 20l behind Close House (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.

Clever Dick (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up, always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Double Ross (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.

Copperwood 11-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Al Aqabah (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct (flat).

Dukes Art 12-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 15, 14l behind Valencha (9-6) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep (flat).

Ifyouletmefinish (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 7f out, chasing leaders when not much room over 3f out, weakened from 3f out, 9th of 14, 29l behind Population (11-2) at Ascot 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.

Jodawes (USA) 10-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, left in 3rd at last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Minsky Mine (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gs.

New Christmas (USA) 9-2 (9-1) Stumbled start, held up in 7th on outside, ridden over 2f out, headway to modest 4th over 1f out, 4th of 8, 7l behind Aattash (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun '10 (flat).

Sarenice (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway 4th, never in contention, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind Jump City (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.

Ted Spread 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed before next, one pace, 4th of 11, 13l behind Broadbackbob (11-0) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) gd in Nov.

War Singer (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 28l behind Colour Squadron (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.

Grumeti 2-1fav (9-7) Close up, ridden over 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, driven and stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ramona Chase (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sep (flat).

Home Run (GER) (9-2) 2nd of 18, hd behind Caminar (9-1) at Deauville(FR) 1m 1f 3yo clm stks in Aug (flat).