Runaway Newbury scorer Bow Creek gets the nod in what is a competitive renewal of the EBF Stallions/totepool Mobile Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract.
The Listed prize is one of the highlights of the season at the West Yorkshire circuit and a perfect centrepiece for the track’s final fixture of 2013.
Although only six juveniles are set to go to post for the one-mile heat, only Lady Heidi can be considered a genuine outsider, with each of the other participants having won at least once, all acquiring ratings in excess of 90.
Godolphin’s Safety Check had his limitations exposed in the Group Three Autumn Stakes on Future Champions Day at Newmarket earlier this month, but is rated a major player as he comes down in class.
However, there must be a chance this race will come plenty soon enough for him and preference is for the fresher Bow Creek.
Mark Johnston’s Shamardal colt steadily improved with each run before getting off the mark at the fourth attempt with a stylish all-the-way win at Chester at the end of August, justifying odds-on favouritism.
He inexplicably trailed home last of 11 runners on his nursery debut at York in early September, but righted that wrong with a brilliant display at Newbury, blitzing hot favourite Meteoroid by six lengths.
He was raised a stone in the weights so certainly deserves this step up into Listed class.
The youngster will take plenty of pegging back if adopting his usual front-running role.
Luca Cumani has done well with the handful of runners he has sent to Pontefract in recent seasons, making Norway Cross’ lonesome journey to the track of real interest.
The daughter of Cape Cross was seemingly not fancied for her debut at Sandown little over a month ago, sent off as one of the outsiders at 20-1.
But she belied her starting price to run an excellent race and fill the runner-up spot behind Empress Adelaide, who gave the form some credence by running creditably in a Goodwood handicap next time.
Norway Cross is bound to have learned plenty from that initial experience and rates banker material in the Rugby League World Cup At totepool.com Maiden Stakes.
Windsor also bring the curtain down on their campaign with an eight-race card.
Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes have once again dominated proceedings at the Berkshire venue and ought to go out with a winner as Morally Bankrupt chases a hat-trick in the R J Clyde Builders Nursery Handicap.
The National Hunt fare comes from Plumpton, where the Gerald Karn-Smith Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase takes centre stage.
Probably the most interesting horse in the line-up is the Alan King-trained Uxizandre, who won twice over hurdles last season and signed off with a far from disgraced fifth placed finish behind At Fishers Cross in the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.
The five-year-old has been sold on to make a profit, with JP McManus prepared to stump up £100,000 at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales in May.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here