Cork

After beating a subsequent Grade 2 winner here on bumper debut, more was expected of DOCTOR DU MESNIL over hurdles. He has been disappointing but remains the one to beat here dropped in grade, although perhaps he's not a max stakes proposition. Jeroboam Machin has the best claims of beating the selection given his Grade 2 bumper win, but it remains to be seen how much talent he retains after finishing tailed off back from a long absence last time. [Denis Harney]