Verdict

Prince James bids for a hat-trick but will do well to take up his usual prominent position from a high draw, while Punching does all of his winning at Southwell these days. The handicapper refuses to relent with Lucky Dan or Wooden King and they both look a shade high in the weights at present, but Scarlet Rocks wasn't beaten far at Kempton on Wednesday and should be thereabouts. A tentative vote goes to INCOMPARABLE, who has been in poor form on the turf recently, but was placed off higher marks over C&D early in the year and could bounce back today.

Formwatch

Desert Strike 25-1 (9-1) Started slowly, no chance when not clear run on inside over 2f out, always behind, 10th of 11, 10l behind Desert Icon (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks (6) pol.

Lucky Dan (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Took keen hold, led early, chased leader, settled 3rd over 4f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 9l behind Bahamian Lad (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Wooden King (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Estonia (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Punching 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Rowan Spirit (9-4) by nk, 13 ran.

Scarlet Rocks (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 11, 1 3/4l behind The Strig (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Incomparable 25-1 (9-7) Raced stands side, behind and never on terms, 16th of 17, 12l behind Cape Royal (9-4) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct.

Prince James 11-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Blown It (9-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.

Lucky Mellor 22-1 (8-13) Always in rear, behind from over 1f out, last of 13, 13l behind Monsieur Jamie (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.

Red Cape (FR) 33-1 (8-13) Prominent on outer, went 2nd 4f out, every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 5l behind Desert Icon (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks (6) pol.

On The High Tops (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Monsieur Jamie (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.

La Capriosa 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up, last of 12, 28l behind Where's Reiley (9-0) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.

Skylla 33-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 6l behind Prince James (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.

Riflessione 13-2 (9-4) Pressed leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Caledonia Princess (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.