Bow Creek's rout impresses in Newbury nursery
BOW CREEK left a deep impression when winning a Newbury nursery by six lengths in September - a feat that takes some doing on a Grade One track.
He subsequently failed to justify favouritism when stepping up in class to a Listed race at Pontefract but can probably be excused that below-par effort as the ground was heavy - which is not ideal for such a hard galloping front runner.
With the Mark Johnston team running well, Bow Creek (3,15, Lingfield) looks nap material to win a Listed race at the second time of asking.
Grandeur (3.50, Lingfield) did all that was required to win the Winter Derby Trial from Modernstone over the course's 10-furlong distance last month.
Ryan Moore maintains his association with the Jeremy Noseda runner and there seems no good reason to desert him in the Winter Derby itself.
Quality in the Hever Sprint Stakes is clearly represented by Ladies Are Forever, who put up a career-best effort when seventh, beaten just three lengths, in the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp last autumn.
She also won this race 12 months ago and put up a solid comeback effort over a longer trip at this track when beaten less than 4l by Tarooq.