Surrey Hope 2nd after 5 month lay off

It was always going to be tough having been upped 7 pounds and 2 classes since his last run at Salisbury but he more than held his own, finishing 2nd to the race-fit Goring by just a neck.

It was a muddling race with no real pace to suit our strengths but he battled gamely despite the jockey dropping his reins, staying on well at the finish.

There is no doubt he will improve for that run and to quote the Racing Post, ‘He looks capable of progressing to a smart level’.