In what could turn into a tactical battle, Hearthstead Wings is selected to get the better of Orange Touch and Bahar Shumaal. Hearthstead Wings is hard to pass when allowed to dominate, and with the soft ground holding no fears for this son of In The Wings, we expect Kevin Darley to jump out and make every yard of the running, just as he did at Hamilton the time before last. This trip is just about as short as he would want for an animal that was allowed to run in the Goodwood Cup in the summer, and the three-year-old will certainly pay to follow over longer trips next year. Orange Touch has his sights lowered here after contesting the Irish St Leger and a couple of Listed events of late. He won the March Stakes at Goodwood last year and also goes on the ground, but the concession of seven-pounds to the year younger Johnston rival might just prove too much today. The other main player is Bahar Shumaal who has been mixing it with Group company since landing a Sandown maiden back in May. He will find this easier but has it to do against the two principals, the best of whom can prove to be Hearthstead Wings.
Orange Touch (GER) 7-2 (8-12) Close up until ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 15l behind Mamool (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gs in Jul.
Always Waining (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, 16th of 17, 45l behind Soulacroix (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Hearthstead Wings 11-2 (9-8) Dwelt, soon prominent, led over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 17, 13l behind Soulacroix (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Led centre group, well on terms, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 12, well behind Enforcer (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gs.
