GOLDEN ARROW, who looked more like his old self when third at Doncaster on his reappearance, can confirm his return to form by winning the Queen's Prize Handicap at Kempton today.
Ian Balding's chestnut was a useful performer on the Flat as a three year old, winning over Kempton's mile and a half and producing some good efforts to claim place money in handicap company, notably when fourth in Newbury's valuable Tote Autumn Cup.
Last season his fortunes dipped as he failed to emerge from the backmarkers in three outings.
The story of his career over hurdles has a similar plot, success as a novice followed by disappointment during the latest campaign.
However, on his return in the opening race of the Flat turf campaign, the portents were more encouraging. A 25-1 shot for the Racing Channel Apprentice Handicap, he was held up towards the rear by his rider Chris Scudder before being asked to improve his position three furlongs out.
No sooner had he begun to make up ground than his path was blocked and he did well to keep on as he did through the final quarter of a mile to finish third to Haya Ya Kefaah.
He should have been a lot closer than the seven and a quarter lengths he was beaten at the line, and with 9st 4lb is potentially well treated.
The other factor to consider is the two mile trip. Golden Arrow gave the impression this sort of distance would suit him when staying on in the Autumn Cup over a mile and five furlongs, and there is every chance it will show him to good effect.
Of his rivals, John Dunlop's Salaman put up an encouraging show behind Shadirwan at Doncaster on his reappearance and is sure to improve on that, while Martin Pipe's top weight Seasonal Splendour has been in good form over hurdles and is another who commands respect.
David Loder, on the mark with Royal Canaska at Leicester on Thursday, can take the listed Easter Stakes with Wood Magic. A gelding by Shaadi, the bay outclassed inferior rivals in a maiden on the all weather track at Southwell and then followed up in a conditions event at Chester staying on to beat Henry The Fifth by two and a half lengths.
He is sure to improve and, with his stablemates seemingly in very good order, Wood Magic is taken to continue his winning sequence.
Green Barries, the five length winner of a Doncaster maiden at the end of last month, is suggested for the six furlongs Queen Elizabeth Handicap. Drawn 13 in a field of 14, he should soon be over against the favoured far rail and can show himself a horse very much on the upgrade.
At Haydock, Westcourt Magic looks a sound wager in the BNFL 25th Anniversary Field Marshal Stakes. Mick Easterby's gelding won five times last season and ran a fine race on his final start when second to Mubhij in the Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot last October. A reproduction of that running would suffice.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)