'Updated 9:28, 9:47 - all selections online.
STICKLEBACK shaped like an out-and-out stayer last time and can go well in the Pontefract Marathon Handicap (3.40), a race in which his trainer has an excellent record. Micky Hammond won this race in 2009, 2010 and again last year, and Stickleback looked just the type for it on his reappearance over 2m2f. Stickleback looked one of the first beaten that day, off the bridle and losing his prominent position after the half mile pole despite wearing cheekpieces for the first time, but he rallied in the straight and gave the impression he was only just getting going at the line, staying on strongly to finish third. He gave the impression that today’s extreme test would be right up his street and this doesn’t look a strong race.
It took a long time for the penny to drop when ST PAUL DE VENCE won on his second start at Kempton in December and he looks potentially very well handicapped in the extended 1m 3yo handicap at Windsor this evening (6.00). He was clueless when thrown in at the deep end in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on his debut, unsurprisingly never making an impact, and it seemed as if he hadn’t learned much from that race when next seen six months on at Kempton, as he had to be ridden along from some way out despite the steady pace (the race was run nearly two and a half seconds slower to the 3f pole than the four races for older horses run on the same card). At the 2f pole he still appeared to be struggling before he suddenly found his stride and surged past his rivals, looking a different class to most of them. The next four horses have all won since and the second, third and fourth are currently rated 73, 74 and 79 respectively, so having been well in control at the finish despite taking so long to get going St Paul De Vence looks more than fairly treated off a mark of 80.'
There you are. That's his thoughts today.