Verdict

A competitive and tricky handicap in which Red Man gets the vote ahead of Cedar Rapids and, maybe, Green Finger. The selection has proven himself capable of running well from around today's mark and, also, has some recent form to his name. On balance, though, based on recent meetings, he does not hold much in hand, if anything, over Cedar Rapids based on the best interpretation of the latter's form and he should also be considered. Cyborg de Sou put up a fair run from around today's mark last time and should run his race, while She's My Girl is only a pound above a mark from which she has won over hurdles, and she was also placed off a ten-pounds higher mark than today last November. Three runs since have come over longer trips so she can't be ruled out. It is hard to know which Mexican will be turning up and Green Finger is now ten pounds below the mark from which he was second at Galway in July 2004, and he would even have a chance if getting back to last summer's form. Finally, you couldn't rule out a good run from Torrid Kentavr but, overall, we will side with Red Man.

Formwatch

Torrid Kentavr (USA) 20-1 (9-11) Always behind, 9th of 11, 22l behind Coat of Honour (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in May.

Kids Inheritance (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders until blundered badly and lost place 7th, not recover and pulled up 4 out in race won by Miss Pross (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 9 ran.

Cyborg De Sou (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, headway after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on, one pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Magico (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd.

Silver Sedge (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 7th, chased winner 3 out, every chance when blundered badly next, not recover and virtually pulled up flat, last of 5, well behind Oliverjohn (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.

Red Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) fell in race won by Another Club Royal (10-5) at Musselburgh 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 12 ran.

Cedar Rapids (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, disputed lead 6th, ridden and effort 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Miss Pross (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.

Mexican (USA) 25-1 (10-3) Held up, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 23l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.

She's My Girl (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, smooth headway 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind Galero (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jan.