Copplestone is always likely to pop up in this sort of contest and is selected ahead of Bodfari Signet and Sands Rising. Copplestone needs everything to fall right for him but has won twice here in the past, both on the Flat and over hurdles, and in this small field should not have to work too hard to hold a good position. His last victory came over stablemate Fly Kicker at Hexham in May and a good run from that one in the 1:30 will be a pointer to his chances here. Granted, he has not won outside plating company but his second to Ei Ei at Cartmel in August was as good as anything else in this line-up and he is the pick. Bodfari Signet is another who needs things to go right, but he was a recent winner at Kelso and has claims. Sands Rising had the misfortune to come up against one of Nicky Richards' best novices, Monet's Rising when beaten at Kelso three weeks ago, but that was his first outing since March. Although greatly flattered by his proximity to the winner, he showed enough to be considered for a small handicap in due course. Copplestone is the selection.
