The ever consistent Eagle Storm appears poised to break back into the winner's stall at Singapore on Friday night following his handy performance behind Twickenham last start.
Successful in notching up his fifth straight second placing the son of Danbird has been racing in great form this time in and appears set to relish the step up to the mile.
More notably the form behind the likes of Easy Money, Mia and Twickenham does appear quite strong moving forward and the fact he gets in just above the minimum does see him very well placed.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he rates clear of his rivals and given he still appears on upward spiral he is predicted to return a near career peak in this upcoming event.
If successful in achieving this goal, the long awaited return to the winner's stall does not appear far away.
A noted front-runner he is expected to continue this trend on Friday with the inform Barend Vorster linking aboard for the first time.
The Laurie Laxon trained Alfonso appears the only other galloper likely to pressure him for the lead however he doesn't appear capable of matching it with Eagle Storm in the early stages.
While the latter has generally been run down in his most recent outings, Eagle Storm has still managed to reel off fairly quick closing sectionals and if allowed to dictate freely in front he is expected to take plenty of catching.
More notably with limited pressure expected up front, Vorster should be able to bide his time in the lead before asking for his full effort in the straight.
Despite only possessing the sole victory to his name he does appear to boast the strongest form leading into this event and given the way the race is likely to be run he does appear very hard to beat.
The Laurie Laxon trained Magical Talent drops back in grade for this event on Friday night following a fair performance behind Perfect Challenger last start.
Settling back towards the tail he hit the line strongly in the straight to be beaten less than three lengths and gave all indications that the step up to the mile will suit.
From the favourable draw he is expected to settle closer to the speed this time around and while he carries the topweight he does rate well on best form.
Corey Brown sticks aboard and strikes at 15% for the Laurie Laxon stable and most recently has enjoyed a good run of form.
Although unproven at the trip neither is Eagle Storm and given three of his four career victories have come on the turf track he does look to hold strong claims.
The Stephen Burridge trained Sweet Lodge often proves her worst enemy however she is clearly capable on her day and if able to produce her best form she shapes as one of the major players in this line up.
A noted backmarker she is expected to adopt similar tactics on Friday night with Oscar Chavez linking aboard for the first time.
Although on paper the race doesn't appear to be run to suit she does possess a sharp turn of foot and if the field does bunch up rounding the final turn she is capable of storming home over the top of them.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings she does have a bit to find on Eagle Storm however the fact she has placed in nine of her last 15 starts suggests she must be kept safe in this affair.The Michael Clements trained Captivate is yet to salute the judge in close to a year however his recent run of form has proven quite solid and the fact Manoel Nunes links back aboard is a good push for his chances.
His recent efforts suggest he has been crying out for the mile and with any luck in running he is expected to make his presence felt and does appear the next in line.
Good luck and happy punting.
