Verdict

Parhelion is steadily improving and can make the frame again here but this should chiefly concern previous winners Nagpur and AMRON LAD. The former has been highly tried since winning at Lingfield and Fontwell in January, finishing second in a Listed hurdle at Huntingdon before abortive trips to the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree. But taking into account Henry Brooke's claim, he has to give 9lb to Donald McCain's lightly-raced Haydock winner and that may prove just beyond him.

Formwatch

Nagpur (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and struggling after 7th, well held after 10th, tailed off, 9th of 19, 50l behind Lovcen (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd.

Amron Lad (IRE) 4-9fav (11-1) With leader, led 6th, clear before 3 out, eased run-in, won at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Global Fella (11-1) by 9l, 7 ran.

Arctic Gunner 14-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Featherintheattic (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.

Barry The Barber (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Led in start, raced wide and soon in touch, pushed along and lost place after 5th, behind and mistake 7th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Themilanhorse (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd.

Hanahoe 100-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 48l behind Woodbank (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.

Heliopsis (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Started slowly, behind, ridden in modest 6th 3 out, never on terms, tailed off, 5th of 15, well behind Jump City (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.

Here Comes Moss 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, outpaced over 2f out, well held in 4th when hung left inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 18l behind Social Overdrive (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Mar.

Larkhall 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, mistake next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Frizzo (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd.

Likearollingstone (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 17, 49l behind Mount Benbulben (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) in Nov.

Midnight Dove 150-1 (10-9) Close up, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 11l behind Howard's Legacy (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.

Parhelion 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, left in lead 6th, joined when hit 2 out, soon headed, weakened and no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 15, 13l behind Gap Of Dunloe (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.

The Last Bridge 10-1 (12-0) Sn to; pu 9, in a race won by West O'rye (11-0) at Maisemore Park 2m 5f ptp gd, 12 ran.

Tommy Tiger 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division and keen, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, well behind Howard's Legacy (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.