Best From The West - December 16

The Chris Gangemi trained Durendal has returned in great order this time in and appears well placed to break through in the third event at Ascot on Saturday.

Only a small field is set to face the starter in this year's Listed R.S. Crawford Stakes [1000m], however it creates plenty of interest with a number of differing form-lines converging.

The much in-form Celebrity Dream has been installed the $1.75 favourite, which to be frank is poison.

She came off her peak last weekend and has to be a query dropping back from 1400m to 1000m on a seven day back up.

Durendal is not without his own queries however, having not won in 715 days.

In saying that, he clearly brings the best form having only been narrowly beaten in the Colonel Reeves Stakes [1100m] two back before finishing a close third in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes [1200m] last start.

Under the set-weights and penalties conditions he is very well placed and from the inside draw he looks to get a lovely run in transit.

Given his record, I concede it's hard to mark him favourite, however confident he should be a lot tighter in the market.

If he holds his form he should prove very hard to beat.

The Daniel O'Connor trained Star Value was only narrowly edged at this track last start and should prove hard to beat in the final event.

Only lightly raced Star Value displayed good improvement when stepping up in trip last start and notably gets the winkers on for the first time.

From the middle draw he shouldn't be far away and given he remains on an upward spiral, he is expected to make his presence felt.

Best From The West

BET OF THE DAY: Race 3 #1 Durendal @ $3.25

EACH WAY PLAY: Race 8 #3 Star Value @ $5.50