Verdict

Astromagick arrives on the back of an easy win at Yarmouth and his yard has won two of the the last three renewals of this race, while it would be no surprise to see dual 1m4f winner Memory Lane improve for the longer distance. Los Nadis has won over 2m on the level and has been in winning form over hurdles of late, but Beat The Shower may be in the handicapper's grip now judged on recent placed efforts. French Hollow is not easily dismissed, but an open race can go to MAY CONTAIN NUTS. He's shown good progress all year and looked better than ever when scoring over 2m1f at Pontefract last month.

Formwatch

Valid Reason 16-1 (9-3) Led early, tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, rallied final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Samsons Son (9-6) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Sep.

French Hollow 7-1 (8-7) Dwelt, held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, never able to trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 10l behind Cosimo De Medici (8-13) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.

Beat The Shower 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Bow To No One (9-10) at York 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.

Los Nadis (GER) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, switched left over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to chase leading pair final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Jonny Delta (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Spiekeroog 7-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear on inside, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 13, 4l behind Palazzo Bianco (8-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.

Cat O' Nine Tails 8-15fav (8-11) Chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gf in Sep beating Valantino Oyster (9-7) by 6l, 7 ran.

Forrest Flyer (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind The Oil Magnate (9-13) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.

Petella 3-1fav (9-8) Mid-division, pushed along 6f out, effort on outside over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind May Contain Nuts (8-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.

Memory Lane 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader early, lost place 8f out, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Gunslinger (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep.

May Contain Nuts 11-1 (8-12) Chased leader who went clear after 2f, closed over 4f out, led over 2f out, clear inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep beating Dr Finley (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.

Orsippus (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Led early, tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Maid Of Meft (8-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.

Astromagick 2-1 (8-11) In touch in rear, headway and switched left over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, eased inside final furlong, won at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep beating Double Handful (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.