Verdict

CHOSEN FOREVER is preferred to Sedge, Trinculo and Secret Gem. The selection looked sure to improve for his winning debut in an average maiden but came unstuck on his second start at Redcar. He's been given plenty of time between his races and may be able to progress as hoped for in a race that is competitive but not beyond him. Sedge won this contest last year and has slipped to a mark 3lbs lower. He came in to last year's contest in a similar vein of form and could well run a big race. Trinculo is an experienced campaigner who should give his all but he may have to use up too much energy to get a position from his high draw. Secret Gem is having her first start for Tom Dascombe and the fledgling trainer has proved to be a dab hand at getting the best out of cast-offs from other yards. The stable's form is stilll a cause for concern. Grand Diamond comes into the race in form but has yet to shine on the all-weather and may not be best served by stall one if his usual hold-up tactics are employed. Chosen Forever is our idea of the winner of the opener.

Formwatch

Mr Burton 25-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 5th of 6, 19l behind Torphichen (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f mdn stk (5) hvy in Sept.

Valentino Swing (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, ridden over 2f out, ran on, 3rd of 11, 1l behind A Big Sky Brewing (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Sept.

Grand Diamond (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-4) at Musselburgh 7f hcap (6) sft in Sept.

Trinculo (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leader on inside, ridden to lead over 2f out, pressed from over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Avoca Dancer (9-0) at Brighton 6f sll (6) gd in Sept.

Party In The Park 11-1 (9-4) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden and struggling over 3f out, 12th of 13, 24l behind Blacktoft (9-12) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Sept.

Chosen Forever 12-1 (8-7) Went left start, ridden halfway, soon no impression, 10th of 12, 8l behind Borasco (9-3) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.

Imperial Lucky (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 5l behind Palais Polaire (8-8) at Brighton 7f fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.

Secret Gem (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders 5f, 8th of 11, 20l behind Stand In Flames (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.

Sedge (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Broke well, in touch until lost place over 2f out, 8th of 11, 6l behind A Big Sky Brewing (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Sept.

Baltimore Jack (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Strike Force (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept.

Copperbottomed (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Soon outpaced in rear, 8th of 11, 11l behind Tous Les Deux (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Nordic Commander (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and some headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Wogan's Sister (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.