Harris Tweed (white silks): the highest-rated horse in the race on 109

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IT IS flat caps rather than top hats for connections of Harris Tweed after they bypassed the royal meeting in a bid to get their grand servant back on track following two below-par runs.

Royal Ascot must surely have been uppermost in their thoughts after Harris Tweed  went down by a nose in the Group 3 Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day in October, but it is to the less glamorous surroundings of Pontefract’s ‘flat caps and whippets family day’ that they journey instead.

That is in part because of a pair of disappointing efforts at Ascot this term and William Haggas, who trains the seven-year-old for his father Brian, has opted for an easier-looking assignment.

“We missed Ascot because the ground has been too fast and the competition too tough,” the trainer said.

“He’s not been on song so far this year but we’re hoping running him at this level will help. He’s ready to run and seems well and hopefully we get genuinely good ground because he doesn’t want it too firm.”

Harris Tweed, whose front-running tactics could be a danger to all on this sharp track, is the highest-rated on 109, 1lb above the Andrew Balding-trained Rawaki in a contest which has been won for the last two years by Brown Panther.

Balding said: “He has been consistent this season and should have a good chance and, while he wouldn’t want it too firm, he’s pretty good on any type of ground.”

The going is likely to go against Stepping Ahead, whose three victories have come on good ground or slower.

Trainer Karl Burke said: “The ground is key to him and he’s unlikely to run unless the ground eases, which looks unlikely. If he does go, hopefully he will show up well as he’s in good order and has gone well at the track before – and it doesn’t look the strongest Listed race.”

John Gosden will be aiming to cap a fine week with Freedom’s Light, a lightly raced filly who has been improving with each run.

On her last run in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock she was nailed on the line by stablemate Sultanina, posting a performance that suggests she is capable of striking at Listed level.

The time before Freedom’s Light finished in front of fellow filly Waila (who reopposes today) when third at Goodwood.

Waila has taken backward steps on her last two starts – although she was tried in a Group 1 on her final outing last year – and the return to a faster surface could bring about an improved showing.

Today’s pointers
Lost Legend has been to Worcester three times previously, and won on every occasion. He’s of obvious interest in the 3.20.

Going
Gowran Park: Good to firm (watered)
Hexham: Good, good to firm in places (watered)
Pontefract: Good, good to firm in places (watered)
Worcester: turf – Good to firm (watered)

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