Verdict

Crackentorp has won twice over the C&D, including this a year ago under Jackie Coward. He's 10lb higher this time but has been primed for a follow-up having returned with a fine effort last month after scoring over hurdles in December. The ultra-consistent Troopingthecolour was five lengths behind Crackentorp on soft ground here in August and is only 1lb better off while Itlaaq finished behind him over the C&D last month. Alison Deniel has won this in the past and her mount Scrapper Smith will love the going, though he's yet to prove himself over this trip. EAGLE ROCK has more scope than most of these and Tom Tate has booked Hayley Moore for the ride. The four-year-old was in good form over hurdles during the winter and ran very well on ground faster than he would have liked over the C&D a month ago. He's on the same mark and gets the vote with C&D winner Odin's Raven a likely outsider under Harriet Bethell.

Formwatch

Troopingthecolour 4-1 (9-7) Chased (clear) winner, pushed along and closed over 3f out, ridden and hung left to far rail over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind John Louis (8-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.

Crackentorp 16-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and challenged over 2f out, outpaced entering final furlong, ran on well towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Easy Terms (8-10) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.

Itlaaq 25-1 (8-9) Switched left soon after start, held in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Easy Terms (8-10) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.

Demolition 33-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 14l behind Danadana (9-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf.

Ascalon 11-2 (10-0) Prominent, led approaching 2f out, under strong pressure, headed briefly inside, kept on gamely, won at Ascot 2m hcap (2) gd in Sep '08 beating Downhiller (8-13) by hd, 13 ran.

Scrapper Smith (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 12, 5l behind War Poet (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Apr.

Lexington Bay (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, not much room over 3f out on inner, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Old Hundred (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.

Hot Rod Mamma (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, never able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Madam Macie (9-5) at Carlisle 1m flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf.

Hanoverian Baron 16-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 16l behind Life And Soul (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.

Halla San 20-1 (8-9) Mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, stayed on over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 10, 8l behind Lordofthehouse (8-7) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.

Judicious 9-4fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Full Toss (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.

Veiled Applause 10-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Full Toss (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.

Hong Kong Island (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Broke well, soon mid-division on outside, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 5l behind Franciscan (9-6) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.

Eagle Rock (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, kept on strongly entering final furlong, went 3rd last 100 yards, nearest at finish, 3rd of 18, 4l behind Mulaqen (9-6) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.

Sir Boss (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, took keen hold towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on to 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Mataaleb (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.

Tiger Webb 66-1 (8-9) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Tres Coronas (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.

Antigua Sunrise (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon given reminders, headway when not clear run over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 16, 3l behind Franciscan (9-6) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.

Odin's Raven (IRE) 17-2 (9-2) Held up behind, switched inside and headway over 2f out, not clear run and switched right inside final 2f, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 6l behind Yahrab (8-8) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.

Red Jade 14-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon driven to chase leaders, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 12l behind Franciscan (9-6) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.

Cape Safari (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, chased leader 10f out, led narrowly over 3f out, joined 2f out, soon headed, chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 12l behind Willie Wag Tail (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.