This weeks musings on the Sprint handicappers tinkerings start with the Class 4 Vista Panels Handicap at Haydock last Thursday over 6f. The winner of this was KING OF EDEN who came with a good run to win well despite having an awkward head carriage and he looks be capable of winning again despite being raised 7lbs for this taking him to a mark of 77. He had a couple of consistent performers in 2nd and 3rd which gives the performance a solid look to it. A couple to be dropped were Pearley Way 2lb to 73 and Northern Dare 3lb to 77.
On Friday at Doncaster Favourite Girl continued her run of form by just getting the better of John Balding's sprinter MILTON OF CAMPSIE by a head. The latter looks as though her time is near and for this run she was raised 3lb to a rating 73, whilst the winner was raised a further 4lb to 88.
On the same day at Sandown the 5f Class 3 handicap went Pisceans way by a short head from Rocket Bob and they were raised 4lb and 3lb repectively. Behind were the likes of Secret Asset, Fathom Five and Cheveton, the latter hasnt been in good form this season and as result of this effort he was dropped a further 4lb to 85. He is one who has not been liking the going of late and he is now 16lb lower than at the begining of last season and as soon as there is some ease in the going he will spring up at a decent price.
As expected Bated Breath went up 10lb for his facile win at Haydock in the 3yo Class 2 Handicap over 6f and he is now on 105. Afterwards Roger Charlton said we may see him in next years Sprint Cup here but later in the week he entered him for this years race. I thought Little Garcon was unlucky not to get closer and he remains on 88 which is a very fair mark that can be exploited on his next run. The race itself was run in a decent time only slightly slower than the Class 2 Conditions Stakes won by his stablemate Genki 30 minutes later. Charlton is now eyeing up a 0-105 Handicap at Newmarket in August however he has stressed that he wont run him on fast ground again this season.
Genki himself ran out a good winner of the Conditions Stakes at Haydock albeit only narrowly but when he seemed to do have done enough he downed tools as he couldnt see the others because of the blinkers. He gets a 3lb penalty for winning this type of race and he looks to be on course for another good show at Goodwood. Of those behind Enderby Spirit, Edge Closer and Fitz Flyer were dropped 2lb each
