Verdict

Tigerino won over C&D in between a couple of modest efforts on the turf and is not easily dismissed back on this surface, but BLUE COSSACK is preferred. He scored over 2m at Kempton last time and this looks no tougher despite a 5lb rise. The Absent Mare has been placed over shorter trips on the all-weather, though she's been well beaten in a couple of starts in 2m hurdle races, while Smart George may prove best of the rest as today's longer distance should suit.

Formwatch

Hamalka (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Led, headed halfway, weakened 4f out, 19th of 22, 30l behind Tupelo Honey (9-4) at Navan 1m 2f hcp 55-80 sft.

Tobago Bay 4-1fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Spinning Waters (8-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.

Blue Cossack (IRE) 9-2fav (8-13) Slow into stride, towards rear, headway over 3f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, bumped near finish, ran on, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Decana (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.

Smart George (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Soon pushed along to hold place on inside, in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 17, 21l behind Four Nations (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.

Ritsi 16-1 (8-7) Virtually refused to leave stalls, in rear and detached, weakened over 3f out, soon eased, last of 13, well behind Vittachi (9-7) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft.

Tigerino (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) Held up mid-division and keen on outer, pushed along over 4f out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 11, 9l behind Body Language (9-5) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd.

The Absent Mare 4-1 (8-7) In touch, headway to 3rd 5f out, went 2nd and hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Castlemorris King (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Sep.