Verdict

Top Mark has an ideal opportunity to win again at the expense of Ermine Grey and Thunderwing. The selection has already won twice this year and has been in consistent form all summer and got back to winning ways at Kempton last time out. Having said that his form on the turf is not as good and he generlly has prefered a sound surface. With a dry week in prospect the conditions might be in his favour and if reproducing his all weather form he has to be respected. Ermine Grey should win more than he does but he has some decent form figures to his name this season to give him a live chance. He does seem to be a professional loser though as he has not won for four years so is one to treat with caution. Thunderwing is another with a long losing run which extends to four years. Again he actually ran well when fourth of twelve at Pontefract last time out but that is no guarentee that success is around the corner. So for thw winner we return to top weight Top Mark to get back to winning ways.

Formwatch

Top Mark 7-2 (9-6) Led, narrowly headed 2f out, stayed challenging, rallied gamely inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Samarinda (9-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.

Snowed Under 9-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Sound of Nature (9-4) at Leicester 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in May.

Lady Friend 11-4 (9-3) Keen, in touch, headway on inside when not clear run well over 1f out, soon ridden, 4th when eased inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Bee Sting (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f mdn stk (4) sft in Jun.

Suits Me 7-1 (9-7) Took keen hold to lead, headed over 7f out and remained in touch, regained lead 3f out, driven and headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Royal Flynn (9-6) at Haydock 1m 3f app hcp (5) hvy in Jun.

Thunderwing (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Gardasee (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) sft.

Waterloo Corner 16-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 11th of 13, 13l behind Turn Of Phrase (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.

Ermine Grey 11-4 (8-1) Started very slowly, held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Drawback (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.