Verdict

The Australian-bred gelding O'CALLAGHAN STRAND has delivered much-improved efforts this season even though he rarely seems to do things easily. The son of Galileo has been hit with another 10lb rise for a battling success at Worcester but may well be sufficiently progressive at the age of five to overcome that significant hike. Diamond MM and Youngstown both got the job done last time but both tote a 7lb penalty which will make life harder for them. The former has greater scope for improvement though and rates the leading danger. Baan has shown enough to be of interest too under a 10lb conditional who partnered James Eustace's charge here last time into third spot on his first ride in public.

Formwatch

Youngstown (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon led again, all out, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Diktalina (11-2) by 1l, 10 ran.

Baan (USA) 9-1 (10-4) In rear, hit 3rd, plugged on from 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 7l behind He's A Hawker (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.

Diamond Mm (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Held up, took keen hold, headway 3 out, led before last, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Ironical (10-4) by 4l, 12 ran.

Bathwick Man 10-3fav (11-0) Led, not fluent 3rd, jumpd right next, mistake 3 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 4l behind King's Realm (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd.

Yabora (FR) 9-4 (11-5) In rear, outpaced 3 out, went 2nd last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Hernando's Boy (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f sell (5) gd in Jun.

O'callaghan Strand (AUS) 13-8fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 4 out, tracked leader before next, led last, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun beating Chapel House (9-7) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.

Peqeno Diablo (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon lost place, weakening when mistake last, 7th of 8, 24l behind Consulate (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.

Sacco D'oro 20-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, switched right before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind With Grace (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gf.

Sansili 7-1 (10-7) In touch, went 2nd 7th until 3 out, weakened and no chance with leading duo 2 out, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Akbabend (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.

Makin A Fuss 20-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, raced keenly, sometimes jumped slowly, headway 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 15, 10l behind Dawn At Sea (11-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb '10.