With most of his rivals looking worn out at the end of another long Flat campaign, the lightly-raced and progressive Downland can take today's Tote Stakes at Newcastle.
Blinkered for the first time, the Geoff Wragg-trained colt beat all bar Lady Boxer at Chester on his last start when he ran the much-improved filly to a length and a half.
He showed at the Roodee that he acts on soft going and looks sure to go close on similar ground today. The majority of his 19 opponents have been on the go for most of the year with mixed fortunes but this is just Downland's 11th racecourse appearance and he has scope for further improvement on the form he has shown so far for Wragg.
Exceptional Paddy caught the eye on his debut at Pontefract last month and looks the one to be on in the EBF Maiden. The son of Common Grounds travelled well for much of the way before running green and tiring up the stiff final climb but showed enough to suggest he was more than capable of winning an ordinary contest. Promising apprentice Shane Kelly is making a good impression and keeps the ride.
Useful Flat performer Ligne Gagnante, off the track since finishing ninth in the Ebor, can make a winning debut over timber in the Copthorne Hotel Cardiff Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow.
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