TimeformBlog

El Viento won twice in blinkers last year and has returned to form with the headgear reapplied this year, finishing in the frame in handicaps at Newmarket and this track. He is going to need a bit more to overcome this mark, though.

Indian Ballad is a consistent sprinter who won four nurseries in 2010 and has found further improvement htis year, finishing just ahead of El Viento over this course and distance last time. This is his best trip and he shouldn't be far away.

Mappin Time is a pretty useful sprinter, but he's had plenty of tries now and it's hard to see him finding the necessary improvement to land this after two modest efforts, unless first-time cheekpieces revive him.

Julius Geezer was a speedy two-year-old, winning the Lily Agnes at Chester and finishing third in a listed race at York. He has been below form in handicaps this term, though the trip was too far the last twice so this will be more suitable.

Elusive Prince was well beaten in a red-hot York handicap last time, but looked a sprinter very much on the up when winning twice over course and distance prior to that and is well worth another chance.

Serena's Pride win a six-furlong maiden at Lingfield in 2010 (when often highly tried) and put several modest efforts behind her when winning at Warwick last time. She is bidding for the follow up in a much tougher race.

Defence Council failed to progress for Howard Johnson after a trailblazing maiden win last year and his form for this yard this year has been very hit and miss. He's well treated on his latest run but expecting a repeat is risky.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Elusive Prince
2.    Indian Ballad
3.    El Viento

Timeform View: Elusive Prince remains a sprinter with a bright future despite a blip at York last time and he can get back on the winning trail back at a venue where he's already scored twice. Indian Ballad and El Viento also have track form and can fill the minor berths.

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