Verdict

JILLY WHY caught the eye last time out and Paul Green's course and distance winner should appreciate the return to this trip; the list of dangers is long and lengthy and is topped by Rafta. The selection is effective on soft ground and this mark of 61 looks attractive enough, having won off a mark of 75 just over a year ago. She has two course and distance wins to her name and looks worth chancing. The interesting runner is Rafta if she turns up. Terry Clement's filly is wildly progressive but she has a raft of entries, including at Leicester on Wednesday and Folkestone on Thursday. Assuming she takes them all up and wins both, then she would be effectively 4lb wrong here as her new handicap mark is scheduled to be 72 when that kicks in next week. Joyeux is consistent enough but hasn't shaped as if ready to really land a blow, Poppy's Rose has talent but also a mind of her own, whilst Dorn Dancer ran well last time at Ayr but drops back in trip today. Lujiana has form on this ground and David Allan looks an eye-catching jockey booking, Bahamian Ballad is consistent if somewhat modest, whilst Style Award is a decent front-runner when on song but the feeling is that this ground may not be ideal. Preference is for Jilly Why.

Formwatch

Whiteoak Lady (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Dwelt behind, never nearer, 8th of 13, 9l behind Elusive Fame (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.

Dorn Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on outer over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 5l behind Salerosa (9-2) at Ayr 1m fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.

Style Award 33-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 14l behind Folly Lodge (9-13) at Doncaster 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) gs.

Joyeaux 10-1 (8-3) Behind, some late headway, never nearer, 5th of 9, 5l behind Crimea (9-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.

Jilly Why (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Behind, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 4th of 15, 4l behind Highland Warrior (11-7) at Doncaster 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gs.

Poppy's Rose 6-1 (8-11) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 9l behind C'mon You Irons (9-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.

Rafta (IRE) 15-8fav (7-12) Held up in last place, good headway 3f out, led over 1f out, soon in command, eased inside furlong, comfortably, won at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gs beating Belle Des Airs (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.

Lujiana 20-1 (8-3) Always rear division, 8th of 10, 10l behind Shotley Mac (9-5) at Redcar 7f app hcp (5) gs in Sep.

Uace Mac 28-1 (9-9) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 18l behind Mo Mhuirnin (9-10) at Doncaster 7f fll hcp (5) gd in Jun.

Bahamian Ballad 9-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 4l behind Solemn (9-3) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.

Slip Star 12-1 (8-11) Chased leader for 4f, 11th of 12, 19l behind Mo Mhuirnin (9-10) at Doncaster 7f fll hcp (5) gd in Jun.

Coconut Moon 40-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, 6l behind Greek Secret (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.

Little Pandora 25-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, behind, 8th of 9, 12l behind Paddy Bear (9-0) at Catterick 6f sell stks (6) gs.

Venetian Lady 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 15, 14l behind Only A Splash (8-9) at Ripon 6f 3yo mdn hcp 0-70 (5) sft.

Sardan Dansar (IRE) 13-2 (8-3) Held up, ridden 3f out, some headway, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 8l behind Paddy Bear (9-0) at Catterick 6f sell stks (6) gs.

Sally's Swansong 80-1 (8-5) Soon led and crossed stands side rail, headed over 3f out, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Pintano (9-2) at Nottingham 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd.