Verdict

Leyte Gulf's consistency means he's actually higher in the weights now than the last time he won back in 2010. He had WALDSEE just behind when second over a shorter trip here last time but today's rival had earlier scored over 2m at Lingfield and that form earns him the vote today. Paul Rich's charge beat Six Of Clubs on that occasion and the latter went on to win at the same track with Talbot Green and Cloudy Start filling the places. The last-named pair are closely matched in this and recent Kempton winner Broughtons Bandit has a bit to find with both of them on earlier running.

Formwatch

Leyte Gulf (USA) 7-2 (9-9) Held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Corvette (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.

Cloudy Start 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on inside and squeezed through over 3f out, stayed on to 3rd over 1f out, edged right and stayed stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Six Of Clubs (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Waldsee (GER) 9-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden along 4f out, pressed leader 1f out, soon every chance, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Corvette (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.

Lileo (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 23l behind Veloce (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.

Broughtons Bandit 7-2 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, good headway over 2f out, chased leaders, led over 1f out, stayed on, driven out, won at Kempton 2m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar beating Bilidn (8-12) by nk, 12 ran.

Talbot Green 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led entering final 2f, driven over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken final 150 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Six Of Clubs (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Colliers Castle (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Mid-division, driven 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, never able to challenge, 5th of 11, 11l behind Bilidn (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.

Bee Sting 5-1 (9-2) Raced wide held up, outpaced 4f out, 7th of 8, 19l behind Putin (8-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.

Greenmeetic (IRE) (7-12) 13th of 14 Zundapp (8-5) at Milan(ITY) 1m 7f hcp sft in Nov.