Timeform Notebook: Farlow can return to winning ways

There are always bound to be hard-luck stories in big-field sprint handicaps, and one of particular interest was in the Bronze Cup at Ayr last week. The Richard Fahey-trained Farlow, who finished fifth behind Circuitous, is one such story whose most interesting chapters look to lie ahead. This son of Exceed And Excel knows the drill by now with 18 handicap starts to his name, three of them yielding wins. The most recent of those came from a BHA mark of 86, which fittingly enough is exactly the mark Farlow has returned to now. He look poised to return to the winner's enclosure following two encouraging efforts in his last two outings. 

The first of those came at Newmarket in August, when Farlow finished second by a neck to the Mark Johnston-trained Skytrain. That was only his second attempt at seven furlongs and he appeared to relish the trip, responding well in the closing stages despite edging left, putting up a career-best effort on Timeform figures in the process. To add some substance to that claim, the third has gone on to win since.

Farlow was raised only 2 lb for Newmarket effort and shaped well in Friday's Bronze Cup, finishing the best of his group on the far side despite not being able to fight out the finish with the principals, all of whom raced on the stand side. He made smooth headway, but just couldn't match those on the near side who'd seemingly always been at an advantage. Farlow is entered in a big seven-furlong handicap at Ascot on Saturday week and he'll be of interest even in that sort of company, whether it be over that trip or kept to six furlongs.

Timeform Notebook:

Midnight Rider didn't quite pick up when seen out at Newmarket on Saturday, and it may be the strong pace he requires to be seen at his best was a little lacking in that particular contest. He missed the break slightly and had to be ridden back into contention in the early stages, but wasn't disgraced in eventually running on to take third.  

Pether's Moon - Authoritative winner at Goodwood last time, could make an impact at listed level or above.
Cape Peron - Has shaped very well in two ultra-competitive handicaps. Pattern-level performer.
Integral - Boasts a good strike-rate and looks sure to continue winning races at Pattern level.
Kingman - Impressive on both starts and one of this season's leading juveniles.
Deserted - Showed a good attitude to win on handicap debut at Yarmouth.
Brass Ring - Form has worked out exceptionally well and is extremely well treated.
Our Queenie - Ran to a strong timefigure on last start and should excel in nursery company for the rest of the season.
Breden - Twice successful this term and better than he showed when unsuited by steady pace at Sandown.
Midnight Rider - A strong-travelling sprinter who is ready to strike granted a strong pace.
Music Master - Consistent performer who is effective over seven furlongs but promises to be suited by six.
Spiritoftomintoul - Completely unexposed over staying distances.
Cafe Society - Strong-travelling type who has shaped extremely well in defeat on his latest two outings.
Doc Hay - Looks to be peaking towards a big effort and slightly unlucky at Doncaster
Farlow - Shaped well at Ayr last time and can get back to winning ways now back to a workable mark.