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Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 46.47s

(3)

Tonto's Spirit^h¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 72| CD

11/8

Not seen on the Flat since November 2017 he's been in useful/winning form over obstacles since. His form figures on the level here read 33811, the most recent win coming over this trip (raced up with the pace); leading claims off this mark.

Form: 398110/

(2)

Diodorus²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: B A Curtis| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 71

11/2

Took a slight step forward last time (race didn't quite get run to suit) when a creditable third to a well handicapped/in-form sort at Hamilton (1m5f). Up in trip (not yet tried over this far); well handicapped on old form if finding further spark.

Form: 8-90653

(1)

Cotton Club¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: G Boughey| OR: 69| D

17/2

Took a step forward on first run for this yard (second-ever runner for the trainer) back on the Flat when third at Bath (shaped as if well-handicapped). Did display some quirks, needs to prove himself on the ground; involved if in the same form.

Form: 36/690-3

(5)

Maid In Manhattan^h³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 60| D

6/4

Already proved herself in good heart and able to handle soft conditions (122 on soft/heavy) with two wins this year; the best coming at Nottingham over 1m6f. Only narrowly denied over the same C&D last time by an improver; up 3lb, sure to go well.

Form: 5-01122

Non-Runners

(4)

Brotherly Company⁵⁴

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: Miss J E Foster J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Tonto's Spirit (11/8), Maid In Manhattan (6/4), Diodorus (11/2), Cotton Club (17/2), Brotherly Company (10/1)

An intriguing contest with none of the quintet easy to ignore and all with a positive marker against them. Supporters of Maid In Manhattan will have no worries about her on the ground or over this trip although she may have to concede some ground to the front-running TONTO’S SPIRIT who makes plenty of appeal off a mark of 72. Judged on his chase/hurdles marks he’s around 10lb well-in here and has already proved himself over this C&D and on the ground. Cotton Club bids to give rookie trainer George Boughey his first winner, a repeat of his Bath run sees him go close while neither Brotherly Company (first-time tongue tie) nor Diodorus can be ruled out.