Verdict

Luca Cumani's FALCATIV ended last season in good form once stepped up to 1m4f with wins at Kempton and Lingfield on the Polytrack in his last two starts and the four-year-old is taken to make a winning reappearance back on turf over the same distance, getting the verdict ahead of Sgt Schultz and Sri Kuantan. Richard Guest's gelding improved for the step up to 1m6f when winning here last month but failed to reproduce the same level of form off his new mark at Nottingham last week and he looks booked for a place at best dropped down in trip today. Valmari has given little sign of encouragement in two starts since joining Clive Brittain's stable and of more interest may be Stan Moore's Sgt Schultz, who is well treated on his Polytrack form. Falcativ has an obvious chance over this trip on ground that should suit and he is taken to carry on winning ways.

Formwatch

Valmari (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Pulled hard, soon tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 16l behind Keenes Day (9-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.

Falcativ 11-8fav (8-10) Held up in last trio, headway under pressure when awkward on bend into straight, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, headway between horses to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating War of The Roses (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.

Sri Kuantan (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Raced keenly, led after 1f, steadied pace after 2f out, quickened over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, last of 6, 6l behind Colonel Flay (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fm.

Sgt Schultz (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 14l behind Run For Ede's (8-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.