Verdict

Glan Y Gors came up short bidding for a hat-trick of 1m4f victories when only fifth here a week ago while Star Ascending’s recent success at Wolverhampton also came over 1m4f. Cornborough won over hurdles in November and debuts on the all-weather having ended the Flat season with a win at Chester. He’s only 3lb higher today while King Of Naples can race off the same mark as when placed at Wolverhampton a week ago and is another to consider. But CHAMPAGNE RULES won at the latter track last month and, having finished in front of Thawry when runner-up here last week, Sharon Watt’s charge gets another chance in this.

Formwatch

Cornborough 3-1 (11-10) Held up, blundered 5th, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, ran on flat, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Apache Jack (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.

Glan Y Gors (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) In touch main group, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, never able to challenge, 5th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Claire Underwood (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.

Star Ascending (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, travelled strongly, closed over 2f out, led just over 1f out, edged slightly left well inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Ice Canyon (9-5) by nk, 10 ran.

Thawry 5-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, driven over 2f out, ridden and lost place over 1f out, gradually weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Lopes Dancer (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.

Restive (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Pushed along leaving stalls, mid-division on inside, no real impression final 2f, 5th of 12, 10l behind Loud And Clear (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.

Remmy D (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Well in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Elysees Palace (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jan.

God Willing 25-1 (9-6) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Elysees Palace (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jan.

Luv U Whatever 7-2 (9-10) Led 1f, tracked leader, led again over 8f out, ridden and joined 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Azari (9-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.

Champagne Rules 11-2 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway on outside over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden and every chance final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Lopes Dancer (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.

Rockwood 25-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Elysees Palace (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jan.

Lucy's Law (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Held up, ridden and some late headway, never a factor, 6th of 9, 4l behind Sempre Presto (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp fll (5) gd in May.

Bahkit (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Took keen hold soon led, headed 6f out, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 11l behind Elysees Palace (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jan.

King Of Naples 9-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway when not clear run over 1f out, trouble passage continued into inside final furlong, went 3rd, unable to challenge, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Regular Income (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Feb.