The ground was getting quicker all afternoon, and it suited DESERT QUEST ideally. The 6yo has always been quirky, but he was full of running all of the way up the straight, kept under restraint by conditional Liam Heard, and when he was left in front at the last he quickened away, despite being inclined to hang left. The rapid pace of the County Hurdle, for which he picks up a 4lb penalty, will suit him ideally, and if the ground is on top again he is sure to be thereabouts, although he will always need delivering at the right moment. He is as short as 7-1 with William Hill.
Fandani had also been hacking all the way up the straight, and he still held a half-length lead when he fell at the last. His rider hadn't gone for him yet, and although Desert Quest looked to be going even better one couldn't be dogmatic about the outcome. The County Hurdle will offer him the chance of compensation if he comes out of this all right.
Anticipating, who has been waiting for this better ground, ran well in third after a mistake at the last on the far side, and Tokala was staying on in quite eye-catching fashion from the second last, having been last on the home turn. Tokala is going to appreciate a stiffer test and better ground, and he looks a horse with a future.
Greenhope was quietly fancied on his reappearance, even though this was viewed principally as a primer ahead of the Grand Annual. Connections can be well satisfied with this.
Ex-French Amour Multiple looks high enough in the handicap but was far from disgraced.
*Brendan Powell reported that Tokala was unsuited by the ground.
Tote
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