Verdict

The unexposed Valento is the pick to land this very competitive handicap after an eye-catching fifth on his seasonal debut. That particular maiden looked quite a decent contest and the time recorded put further substance to that belief. Whether a mark of 69 allows connections with room for manoeuvre remains to be seen but he is a tentative vote in a wide open heat. Splash The Cash has been shown some leniency by the assessor and is now running off a reasonable mark. Young Gladiator contests turf racing for the first time but his Southwell form and breeding suggest today's ease in the ground should suit. Solemn is another that has to enter calculations and the step up to 6 furlongs should suit having been outpaced over the sharp 5 furlongs at Bath last time. Red Skipper would have to be given a chance on what he achieved on his final outing last season while at bigger prices, Gainshare could be one to go well. Valento is selected to land this handicap.

Formwatch

Cracking Nick (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 13, 4l behind Espy (9-4) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.

Valento 50-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace, 5th of 17, 5l behind Tawaash (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.

Rough Rock (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) In touch, not clear run over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, not reach winner, 3rd of 7, nk behind Valhillen (9-0) at Brighton 6f 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.

Wreningham 5-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, ran on, 4th of 5, 2l behind A Wish For You (8-7) at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.

Bohobe (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 10l behind We're Delighted (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.

Gainshare 18-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 16, 13l behind Harbour Blues (9-0) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.

Sawpit Sunshine (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, raced keenly, every chance 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 16, 8l behind Master of Arts (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in May.

Young Gladiator (IRE) 13-8fav (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 6f mdn aut stk (5) fbs in Apr beating Tanley (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.

Solemn 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, ran on from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 2l behind Pennyspider (8-1) at Bath 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.

Karky Schultz (GER) 16-1 (8-12) Stumbled 6f out, held up, headway halfway, effort when hung left over 1f out, soon weakened, 15th of 18, 10l behind Burnbrake (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.

Towy Boy (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 12, 7l behind Legendary Guest (8-13) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.

Oxbridge 10-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders until weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Valhillen (9-0) at Brighton 6f 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.

Straight (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out, 6th of 12, 6l behind Legendary Guest (8-13) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.

Splash The Cash 4-1 (8-1) Held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind We're Delighted (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.

Red Skipper (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Led, hard pressed from over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Paint Stripper (7-13) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov.

Just Jimmy (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Slowly away, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 14l behind Master of Arts (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in May.

Linnet Park 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Big Slick (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (6) gs in May.