Soft ground at Towcester is the ideal recipe for a slog and the time, approximately 50secs outside of standard, was a clear indication of how testing conditions were and only seven of the 18 strong-field made it home.

DESERT TOMMY did exceptionally well under his welter burden given his lack of size and scope and he looks a progressive five-year-old. He was carrying a penalty for his emphatic Exeter success last Sunday and, although tackling much more testing conditions here, he was more than equal to the task. Never far off the pace, he closed in on long time leader Classic Sight and jumped to the front at the second-last flight before powering clear up the hill. He is clearly versatile having won a fast ground juvenile hurdle back in 2004 and after only seven career starts he could easily have plenty more to offer.

Classic Sight was sent to the front approaching the eighth flight and was allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs thereafter. She steadily drew clear of her rivals down the back straight on the second circuit and it looked at one point as though she may have nicked this but she was collared early in the home straight by the winner and had no answer to the burst of speed shown by that rival. She stayed on gamely however on her handicap debut and, given she is thoroughly effective under these conditions, there are surely races to be won with her.

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