6-1 Warzone looks primed for Hove battle

WARZONE TOM faces better rivals over a more suitable course and distance than when winning Crayford’s Gold Collar and looks rock solid at the head of the market for Hove’s Coral Olympic over 515m, writes Jonathan Kay.

That Liz McNair’s dog went unbeaten through the Category One is testament to his class and resolution as he was asked gradually stiffer and stiffer questions and, despite some runaway early victories, his best run surely came in the final where he spotted Gymstar Elusive a significant lead but never looked like not catching him.

He faces a different type of test here but an ultra-stiff fourbend course on a galloping track plays to his strengths, while the fact he has not been here before can be viewed as a positive given connections view he goes well when fresh.

At 6-4 for the Gold Collar he looked short for a competition with numerous pitfalls to overcome even in less than exalted company but passed the test with flying colours, 6-1 here for this much deeper competition looks a lot more generous than might have been expected.

Recommendation Warzone Tom 1pt 6-1 general