Verdict

Manor Park remains 6lb higher than when winning last year’s renewal while Fire Lake’s recent success at Stratford came in a maiden hurdle. CLEARANCE (NAP) is preferred given he won a higher grade contest over track and trip before finishing third back here and gets another chance dropping back down in class. Elham Valley has struggled off a higher mark since winning at Warwick while Peterborough could only manage third despite racing off a lower mark back over hurdles a Ffos Las.

Formwatch

Elham Valley (FR)8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out and weakened quickly, last of 6, 16 3/4l behind Miss Mulligan (10-9) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jun.

Fire Lake (IRE)11-8fav (10-11) Held up in rear, rapid headway travelling strongly 3 out, close up last, squeezed for room on rail soon after, switched right and stayed on strongly to lead final strides, won at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul beating Donnie Azoff (11-4) by 1l, 9 ran.

Manor Park11-1 (10-8) In rear, took closer order 3 out, every chance when pushed before home turn, struggling to keep tabs on front pair when ridden before entering home straight, faded before last, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Jamacho (10-9) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.

Peterborough (FR)11-4 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent 3rd, outpaced by front pair from omitted 3 out, stayed on same pace from omitted 2 out, 3rd of 5, at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in May.

Clearance7-2 (10-9) Held up in last, not fluent 5th, headway after 3 out, no impression in 4th from 2 out, mistake last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind State Crown (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.