Longer trip looks sure to suit local hope

Long John weighted to repeat last year's victory 2.35 Exeter

Just one win from 19 starts highlights this nine-year-old's limitations, but that victory came in this race last year and he is weighted for a repeat having dropped in the handicap to the same mark.

The Jackie du Plessis-trained grey cruised through that heavy ground contest and went into the lead on the bridle four out before gradually pulling away for an easy 12-length win. He went up 7lb to a career-high 110 after that, but has come back down to 103 despite recording encouraging form figures of 32452 since.