City Of Strangers looked good when making all at Redcar last week but she failed to dominate over 5f at Ayr yesterday and was comprehensively beaten. This looks much more open now and tentative preference is for the well-connected ART OF FOX to find improvement for the switch to an ordinary handicap on turf. Rumba Bay may be best of the others, ahead of Monticristo Boy.[Emily Weber]
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Seen to very good effect when making all and winning by 5l on handicap debut at Redcar (6f, good to firm) last week; well-backed favourite but failed to dominate and turned over under a penalty at Ayr (5f, good) yesterday; return to 6f and front-running can suit if turned out quickly.
Won two of her first four AW starts for this yard, the latest with authority when back over 6f at Wolverhampton in March (the next three home have won since); unable to run to the same level returned to turf at Pontefract since but should still have potential at an ordinary level.
Related to some useful sprinters; minor promise in three Wolverhampton starts in March, over 7f, 5f and 6f, with more finishing ahead than behind; not obviously well treated on turf/handicap debut but an awakening is not ruled out; check betting.
Has improved since tongue tied, winning on Newcastle AW (5f) and although he bled from the nose when a close third there (6f) in November he returned from a break with a good run at Southwell recently; well held in one previous turf handicap but in better form now; not dismissed.
Out of Stewards' Cup and Group 3 winner Dancing Star; minor promise on second AW start (6f; favourite) before set a stiff task at Kempton in March; market can guide now switched to a handicap on turf.
Won 6f seller at York as 2yo; made the running and in the frame in two of four AW starts for this trainer but hard to call him well handicapped and he needs to improve for the return to turf.
Ex-Rae Guest; dropped right out on handicap debut at Wolverhampton (7f) in October but she'd run well for a long way in better company than this at Kempton (6f) before highly tried at Newmarket in October; might need this debut for new yard but should have some handicap potential.
Didn't go on from fair 6f debut on Lingfield AW for Rae Guest and she found little when favourite for handicap debut at Chelmsford (6f, AW) in March; clearly better expected that day and too soon to write off.
Vulnerable in handicaps as 2yo but she found an ordinary one when making a winning return at Chelmsford (6f, AW) in March; not disgraced in a higher grade at Wolverhampton since and has more going for her at this level now having another go on turf.
