While Leftontheshelf could only stutter to the finish line, Stuart Eaton got the 4.30 bang on the nose as Orbitor romped home

Great Leighs

2.30 - This has the looks of quite an interesting Claimer as the top two on figures are quite closely rated. Gone Hunting has been bang in form recently with three 2nds and a win in his last four starts. Last time out he was slowly into his stride and held up in the rear rank of the group. He made good headway on the outer over 2f out, led inside the final furlong only to be denied by a head in the last few strides. He is a decent sort at this level and if running up to form today should be there or thereabouts.

My tip goes to Leftontheshelf who has not been out of the places in his short racing career so far. In his last start he took a keen hold and was held up in touch. He then made good headway over 2f out and chased the leading pair inside the final furlong. Unfortunately he was a little one-paced within the final 100y and lost out by over a length, however he had raced wide for most of the race. He is effective over today’s trip and the drop in class should give him a good chance to chalk up another win.

4.30 - With a number of powerful stables represented this should be a decent maiden encounter. That said two horses are clearly rated higher than the rest. Akbabend is stepping up in trip after his last start over 1m at Newmarket. He chased the leaders that day, was ridden and had every chance over 1f out but stayed on at the same pace inside the final furlong to lose out by just over 2 lengths. He is on the upgrade and should go close again today.

I like the look of Orbitor who is another stepping up from 1m last time out. He took a keen hold and tracked the leaders. He was then switched right for his effort over 2f out, kept on well inside the final furlong to take 2nd and was just held off by ½ a length. He should progress into a decent middle distance horse next year and this is a good chance to grab his first win.