Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Prince Harmony easily led from gate three and drew clear in the straight run to make it two on the trot following a switch to sprinting at the Valley. He appears to have more points in hand on this track. Smart Salute came on well from midfield to wear down Otouto for second but was no match for the winner. He's run well for seconds from perfect draws in back-to-back runs over this Valley trip and might get away with one soon in the grade off a light weight in the right race. Otouto enjoyed a lovely run in the box-seat and was only headed late for second. It was a vastly-improved on his opening three starts this term following a gear change to a crossed nose band but he'll need to follow up on this run. Clever Spirit was the only one to make any real progress to come from last to fill a Quartet spot. He's been finding the line well in a number of his past few starts and will be hard to beat if he can gain a drop in class. Sunny Orient was rather one-paced in the last 150m after travelling deep third from the rear from an awkward gate. He nothing special and needs all favours in the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (636)-LANCASHIRE HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 4 - 1200Metres

REGENCY HONEY and WINNING CONTROLLER bumped heavily at the start.

From a wide barrier, CLEVER SPIRIT was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Making the turn passing the 950 Metres, BRIGHT STAR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JOYFUL FOREVER which was taken in marginally by REGENCY HONEY.

When REGENCY HONEY was shifted out to relieve the tightening to JOYFUL FOREVER, WINNING CONTROLLER and SUNNY ORIENT were inconvenienced.

Passing the 900 Metres, JOYFUL FOREVER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING CONTROLLER which shifted in.

Near the 800 Metres, WINNING CONTROLLER commenced to travel keenly and shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of BEAR RAPPER.

Near the 550 Metres, BRIGHT STAR got its head up when travelling close to the heels of REGENCY HONEY.

After the race, S Clipperton stated that although BEAR RAPPER was left racing wide and without cover from the 600 Metres, the horse was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight and weaken as it did.

A veterinary inspection of BEAR RAPPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

O Doleuze (NASHASHUK) stated that, from its outside barrier, he had to make considerable use of the horse in the early and middle stages to take up a prominent position.

He said NASHASHUK was very wide rounding the first turn and although it was able to take up a trailing position by the 600 Metres, the horse soon came under pressure and then was not able to close off the race.

A veterinary inspection of NASHASHUK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PRINCE HARMONY and SMART SALUTE were sent for sampling.