Verdict

A chance is taken with Twelve Paces off a light weight to get the better of likely market leader Majaales and Etched In Stone. The selection is a lightly raced sort of late with just two outings last season but has been the subject of some strong market support throughout. Although beaten favourite at Ayr last time, there were some positives to take from that outing. Having shown he enjoys a test of stamina conditions at Ayr would have been unsuitably quick for him over a distance that would have been shorter than ideal. Having been outpaced when the pace quickened, he stayed on stoutly in the closing stages behind two progressive sorts from leading yards. Off 10-2 and Timmy Murphy aboard, today could be the day to catch him. Majaales has been in sparkling form this year and rounded off last season with a fine win in an ultra competitive Newbury handicap. Lightly raced, he is progressive but could be vulnerable off top-weight. Etched In Stone has failed to progress after appearing a horse of real promise in the earlier part of his career. If gaining a soft lead he could make them all go as he stays all day. Conditions may not be testing enough for Paddy The Piper for which Pauline Robson carried off one of the training performances of last season to land a big punt after 502 days off the course on his penultimate start. Everything looks in place for Twelve Paces to go extremely close off his feather weight.

Formwatch

Majaales (USA) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led 2 out, driven and edged right flat, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs beating Lindop (11-1) by 1l, 17 ran.

Shrewd Investor (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hit 4th, blundered badly 13th, beaten when unseated rider at the last in race won by Or de Grugy (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (4) sft, 9 ran.

Paddy The Piper (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, hit 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 11l behind Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.

Etched In Stone (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led to 3 out, outpaced next, rallied flat, stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Boris The Blade (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.

Tartan Snow 4-1 (10-9) Led, hit and headed 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance when fell at the last in race won by John Forbes (11-4) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy, 7 ran.

Twelve Paces 9-4fav (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on from next, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Just Amazing (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.

Jontys'lass 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out and weakened from next, 4th of 12, 29l behind Bene Lad (10-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.