Telwaar facing Free task

Peter Chapple-Hyam is keeping his fingers crossed the rain stays away ahead of Telwaar's run in the European Free Handicap tomorrow.

The three-year-old won a Doncaster maiden last year and was last seen finishing second in a Newbury Listed race in August.

Chapple-Hyam feels his charge will be ideally suited to the seven furlongs he faces at Headquarters, but is concerned about the rain that is forecast.

"Telwaar is in great form and wouldn't want too much rain. Seven furlongs could be his perfect trip although I hope not as there are more options if he gets further, but it's a finding out mission on Wednesday," he said.

"I have always thought a lot of him. He is a nice horse and he tries hard which is all that matters. Hopefully, he could be Jersey Stakes horse in the future - that is the main plan."

The Charlie Hills-trained West Leake Diman takes a drop in class for his seasonal return.

Although well beaten at Doncaster on his final start of 2011, before that he had not been beaten far into seventh in the Middle Park Stakes.

"He was only beaten a couple of lengths in the Middle Park. He has plenty of weight tomorrow as a result, but he's probably entitled to," said Hills.

"He's working well and hopefully he'll run a decent race."

Charlie's brother, John Hills, is also represented by B Fifty Two.

This colt was campaigned in Pattern company for much of his juvenile year and his trainer is keen to try him over seven furlongs to see if his stamina lasts out.

"He's done very well over the winter and I'm very happy with his work at home," said Hills.

"He's so relaxed at home and is working like a horse who might stay a bit further than six furlongs, so we'll find out tomorrow.

"There is no obvious early target over sprint trips anyway, so this looks a good place to start and we'll learn more about where we going with him.

"He wasn't beaten far in the Middle Park and only got caught right on the line by Dabirsim at Deauville last July, so he's a pretty good horse.

"He does want good or even faster ground, however, so I hope they don't have too much more rain."