Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 30 October 2009 / Leave a comment

The juveniles have outpointed their elders in eight out of the last 10 runnings of this race, so it may pay to stick with the younger generation, despite the sound claims of Marine Boy and Himalya. Pastoral Player will be more at home back on this quicker surface and gets the nod, ahead of Haadeeth, who showed likeable qualities in defeat last month and may have more to offer.

"Pastoral Player made a highly promising start to his career when winning a six-furlong maiden at Newbury. He floundered in softer ground after travelling well for five furlongs in a Group 3 back there last time and better is expected here."

Himalya won a maiden at Doncaster and finished fourth in the Coventry Stakes before his two-year-old career was curtailed through injury. He returned to a similar level of form when sixth in a listed contest here last time, but more is required now.

Marine Boy hasn't progressed as anticipated since winning on his debut, but a recent fifth in a good seven-furlong handicap on his return from a break was a step in the right direction and he won't mind the drop back to sprinting.

Always The Sun is a poor maiden who plies her trade at a lowly level and is hopelessly out of her depth.

Dorback made an impressive winning debut in June. He produced similar form when runner-up to a useful sort at Beverley last month, but had his limitations exposed in a listed event recently and this looks no easier.

Haadeeth dead-heated in a six-furlong maiden at Kempton prior to a battling second in nursery at Newbury last time. That form is probably short of what will be needed here, but his willing attitude is a huge plus.

Pastoral Player made a highly promising start to his career when winning a six-furlong maiden at Newbury. He floundered in softer ground after travelling well for five furlongs in a Group 3 back there last time and better is expected here.

Rum King got off the mark at the third attempt when outpointing a subsequent winner in a maiden over course and distance last time. More is needed here, but further progress is not out of the question.

Chips O'Toole has been much improved of late, following up a Goodwood win with a good second in a minor event at Catterick (first two a long way clear). He was below that level at Kempton this week and a quick bounce back is required.

Farmers Wish was twice successful over six furlongs on contrasting ground in the summer. She has produced respectable efforts in nurseries on her last two starts, but this demands much more

Tags: Always The Sun, Chips O'Toole, Dorback, Farmers Wish, Haadeeth, Himalya, Lingfield, Marine Boy, Pastoral Player, Rum King