Option Money and Distiller stand out in this field with Tim Vaughan's runner preferred; Darfen looks booked for third. Distiller has been on the go for some time now but hasn't shown any sign of losing his form and merits respect. However, all of his best performances have been on decent ground and the good to soft terrain will count against him this afternoon. The selection looked a fair prospect when running out a twenty three length winner on his debut for this yard over course and distance eight days ago. This is tougher but he readily accounted for a couple of in-form horses, will handle the ground and could prove hard to beat. Darfen has done well enough at a modest level but will need to settle better if he's to see out this longer trip and could be biting off more than he can chew. Few of the remainder make any appeal and we'll be siding with Option Money.
Distiller (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 7th, led 3 out, drew clear from 2 out, kept up to work flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd beating Runaround Sue (10-12) by 16l, 11 ran.
Darfen (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, in touch, every chance approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Rising Force (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
Option Money (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led and hit 6th, drew clear from 2 out, pushed out, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd beating Archduke Ferdinand (11-5) by 23l, 11 ran.
Cengiz (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Pressed leader to 5th, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Native City (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Orchard House (FR) 250-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden and weakened 7th, 13th of 18, well behind Lincoln's Inn (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar '07.
So Extreme 100-1 (10-5) Never a factor, 6th of 8, well behind Mutual Friend (11-3) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Theseainttoys (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) In rear, keen early, jumped right 3rd and 4th, no chance from 6th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Distiller (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
King of The Beers (USA) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, hampered 3 out, every chance after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 15, 21l behind Red Admiral (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Three Half Crowns (IRE) 80-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Option Money (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
