Tote on Betfair / Timeform / 13 October 2008 / Leave a comment

Eight runners go to post for this two-year-old conditions race over seven furlongs.

Absent Pleasure heads the ratings. He beat the Middle Park third, Huntdown, when winning his maiden at the Newmarket July Course in August before returning to Newmarket on the Rowley Mile when third of fourteen in a nursery. He shaped better than the bare result there, as he was disadvantaged by the draw and left with a bit to do having failed to settle. He's a smart prospect and remains open to improvement.

John Dunlop's Gyr confirmed his debut promise when winning an eleven runner maiden at Goodwood in July, where he showed a good attitude to rally and to get up close home despite looking headstrong. Those wayward tendencies were again evident when he carried his head awkwardly when twelfth home in the Tattersalls Timeform Million at Newmarket. That performance was a creditable effort, coming off a two month break and ridden with an eye to the trip.

High Alert has improved since winning his maiden in July, although he was below form on his penultimate outing at Doncaster, which came only a week after he was caught close home by Lethal Glaze at Goodwood. He finished a place ahead of Gyr in the Tattersalls Timeform Million last time, and, although he failed to get a clear run this was yet another step up on previous form.

Richard Hannon is doubly represented by Indian Art and Versaki. Both have been below form on their last two starts, the former looking irresolute when tried in a visor last time whilst the latter was under pressure from halfway and failed to respond at Newmarket on his latest start where it's possible he was unsuited by the firmer ground.

Akhenaten contested the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot only three days ago. He finished a good fifth behind Kite Wood, but left the impression he will fall short of pattern-class. He is back in a suitable grade here and acts on the forecast good to soft surface.

Carnaby Haggerston shaped as if amiss last time whilst Confucius Captain was reportedly struck into in a maiden at Kempton on his latest start. Both need to step up on the form they have shown to figure here.