This faster ground should suit Estepona, who can step up on a satisfactory debut by breaking his maiden tag in a weak contest. The selection is rated in the 80s on the flat and all his best form has come on quicker ground, including a 12 furlong Haydock win in August, which was on good. His third in the November Handicap on unsuitably bad ground marks him out as the leading contender here, even if the trip will probably be short enough. Micky Hammond's Industrial Star looks the most serious danger. Ordinary on the level this year, his bumper win on fast ground at Market Rasen in April gives him frame claims here, though it is doubtful he will have the class of the selection. Zonic Boom and first-time blinkered True To Yourself are others who may well improve in this sort of company, but if Estepona put in a clear round then he'll be hard to beat.
Estepona 6-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort after 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 15, 10l behind First Look (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (E) gs.
Heversham (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 37l behind Huckster (11-0) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (D) gs.
Industrial Star (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Always prominent, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr beating Panama Venture (10-8) by 3l, 11 ran.
Tinian 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace when hit 2 out, 5th of 13, 25l behind Masafi (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf.
True To Yourself (USA) 11-1 (10-9) Not fluent 1st, in touch, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Lyes Green (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (E) hvy in Nov.
Zonic Boom (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Led to 2nd, prominent, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 11l behind Siberian Highness (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Arctic Moss (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up towards rear and mistakes, weakened after 6th, 10th of 14, well behind Cheery Martyr (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (E) gf in Jun.
Big Bertha 15-2 (10-12) In touch, driven and effort when 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 17, 29l behind Cloudless Dawn (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
