Verdict

Copper Birch was due to run yesterday at Ffos Las but would have obvious claims if diverted here having won at the Welsh track and Hereford last month. Unify beat Highbury High three-quarters-of-a-length at Fontwell two months ago but is now 8lb worse off and probably too high in the weights now. Mikey Legg should get a tune out of LIKE SULLY, who'll strip fitter for a fourth at Plumpton though has only won over fences at that track so far. He's preferred to the returning Sunny Ledgend, though Ballycoe can't be ignored despite only finishing fourth off his new mark at Bangor.

Formwatch

Ballycoe 7-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 10th, chased leaders 5 out, under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 12l behind Mumgos Debut (10-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.

Sunny Ledgend 16-1 (11-10) With leader, led 3rd to 6th, in touch, driven 5 out, modest 4th when ridden before 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up, at Bangor 3m hcp (4) hvy in Apr.

Like Sully (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake and bumped 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, weakened into 4th last, 4th of 8, 11l behind Minella On Line (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.

Copper Birch (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, clear before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Northandsouth (11-11) by 7l, 8 ran.

Highbury High (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Tracked winner from 1st, not fluent 12th or 2 out, challenged last, edged left, went upsides and bumped rival flat, bumped towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Unify (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Oct.

Unify 15-8fav (11-12) Led until approaching 3rd, chased winner until 4 out, chased leading pair, ridden after 2 out, rallied under pressure run-in, went 2nd 100 yards out and closed, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Next Exit (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) fm in Nov.