Betway Conditions Stakes

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 18.95s

(5)

Grey Britain⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: J Ryan| OR: 106

7/4

Justified strong market support to produce a career best in a class 2 handicap at Wolverhampton in December. Would be hard to beat on that form if staying the extra half-mile.

Form: 014031-

(1)

Lord George^v¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 103| D

9/2

Just failed to land the AW Championship Marathon over C&D last March and consistent this winter apart from his penultimate run. Behind Watersmeet in November but marginally better off at the weights here.

Form: 9543-03

(4)

Stargazer¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 102| BF| D

11/4

Excellent record on Tapeta but needs to produce another career best on a different surface. This is his trial for the AW Championship Marathon next month and his current form suggests he is not far short of that standard.

Form: 70021-2

(3)

Watersmeet¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| CD

9/4

12-27 on AW tracks and placed on ten other occasions. Took this 12 months ago before going close in the AW Championship Marathon. On that form, and that shown when scoring at Kempton in November, Lord George is marginally better in at the weights.

Form: 00414-3

Non-Runners

(2)

Spark Plug⁵⁸

Weight: 9-8| Age: 8

T: B J Meehan J: Oisin Murphy

Forecasts

Grey Britain (7/4), Watersmeet (9/4), Stargazer (11/4), Spark Plug (3/1), Lord George (9/2)

This is a good trial for the AW Championship Marathon. Last year's winner Watersmeet finished third in the final with Lord George ahead of him. Those placings were reversed at Kempton in November and the latter is better off at the weights this time, but he has not always convinced in a finish and STARGAZER may be a better option. The six-year-old is equipped with stamina and speed so has the tools to handle whatever fractions may be set and arrives having posted successive career bests on his last three starts. Grey Britain and Spark Plug are useful performers over middle-distances but both may find their stamina stretched if this is truly run.