Verdict

Shotley Mac is a three-time C&D winner and Violent Velocity scored over a mile at this track in April. That pair are clear on official figures but the forecast rain could prove a problem for both and a risk is taken on RASSELAS. He'll handle any cut in the ground and, after tumbling down the weights in the last year, Dandy Nicholls' charge posted a much better effort at Redcar last time. American Lover has also been in better form of late but she's got even more to find at the weights on today's terms and it's hard to make a serious case for the rest of the field.

Formwatch

Violent Velocity (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, one pace and no impression 2f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Oratory (9-7) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.

China Excels 25-1 (9-10) Dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13l behind Uprise (9-3) at Doncaster 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.

Saxby (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) Fly leapt start and slowly away, behind, last of 9, 19l behind Elusive Bonus (8-11) at Beverley 5f app hcp 0-55 (6) gs in Jun.

Shotley Mac 16-1 (9-8) Disputed 2nd, lost place over 3f out, weakened 2f out, beaten when eased 1f out, tailed off, 7th of 10, 50l behind Trip The Light (9-12) at Catterick 1m 4f clm stks (6) sft in Oct.

American Lover (FR) 16-1 (9-1) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Noble Jack (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Little Thief 33-1 (8-7) Pulled hard always in rear, hung left from over 2f out, last of 5, 18l behind Pendragon (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f 4yo sell stks (6) gd in Jun.

Norton Girl 25-1 (8-11) Keen tracked leader, led 8f out, headed 3f out, weakening when bumped 2f out, soon eased, last of 7, well behind Elizabeth Coffee (9-7) at Redcar 1m 2f Claiming Stakes (0-75) (3yo+) (6) sft in Jun.

Fathey (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Led, headed 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 12l behind Master Of Song (9-4) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.

Rasselas (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind King Pin (8-13) at Redcar 7f clm stks (5) sft in Jun.

Whispered Times (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 14l behind Fieldgunner Kirkup (8-13) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jun.