Verdict

An interesting opener where SHAKING HANDS is given a tentative nod to get the better of Soft Spoken Guy. The selection is not a confident one, given that it is hard to gauge the form of his maiden win in Ireland, but he did at least win there, he stays well on that evidence, and he handles plenty of cut in the ground. David Pipe's runners are also going well so we will side with him. Soft Spoken Guy won a Clonmel bumper and then failed to defy a penalty at Naas, but had only one in front of him there, and you would have to think that he will be a leading player today. Make Haste has won a couple of minor flat handicaps over 1m 4f and he does handle cut. He is battle hardened with the experience of five hurdling runs and from an in-form yard he is respected. Mr Bojangels has a bit to prove after falling on his debut, Intac will probably be a more likely proposition over fences in time, while Well Done You is related to some decent sorts and will be one to note on his racecourse debut. Shaking Hands is the one for us.

Formwatch

Intac (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 4f out, no impression before straight and weakened, 6th of 7, 28l behind Bantry Commons (11-4) at Tipperary 2m nhf gd in May.

Make Haste (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division until dropped rear 8th, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on from next, 6th of 16, 9l behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.

Mr Bojangels (IRE) 80-1 (11-6) Mid-division when fell at the 4th in race won by Fruity O'Rooney (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.

Shaking Hands (IRE) (11-7) Prominent, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp sft in Apr beating Ballybart (11-7) by 2l, 10 ran.

Soft Spoken Guy (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd entering straight, no impression leader from under 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Pandorama (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f nhf sft in Oct.

Well Done You (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of As Tu As.

Toomuchinformation 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, hit 2nd, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.