Verdict

Edgar Balthazar won this last year and the Carlisle Bell back in June but would prefer faster ground. Inexes was still well beaten when second at Carlisle last time while Victoire De Lyphar has struggled since winning over a mile here in July. Tiger Jim and Sir Billy Wright have been competing over 6f recently but both have won over today’s distance before and FULLON CLARETS was beaten less than a length over track and trip on his latest visit to the track. He’s preferred to stablemate Spirit Of Zeb as he should have the race run to suit with front-runners Jay Kay and Emperor Bob in the field.

Formwatch

Edgar Balthazar 25-1 (8-12) Mid-division, soon outpaced towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Morando (9-3) at Ayr 1m hcp (2) gs in Sep.

Sir Billy Wright (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Led overall in centre, ridden and headed 1f out, chased winner and kept on in closing stages, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Spring Fling (9-6) at Haydock 6f hcp (3) gd in Sep.

Twin Appeal (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 19th of 24, 12 1/2l behind Classic Seniority (9-4) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.

Tiger Jim 13-2fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Ustinov (9-7) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep.

Victoire De Lyphar (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up in rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Silvery Moon (9-9) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) sft in Sep.

Spirit of Zeb (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, effort on inside over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Highland Acclaim (9-9) at Epsom 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.

Inexes 8-1 (9-7) In rear, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Depth Charge (9-9) at Carlisle 7f hcp (4) gs in Sep.

Fullon Clarets 11-2cfav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Depth Charge (9-9) at Carlisle 7f hcp (4) gs in Sep.

Jay Kay 9-2 (9-9) With leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 11l behind Balance (9-1) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) sft in Sep.

Emperor Bob (IRE) 9-2cfav (10-3) Made all, ridden under 2f out and soon went a few lengths clear, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Laytown 7f pol in Sep beating Rialto Magic (10-0) by 2l, 10 ran.