Chantyman has much in his favour

CHANTYMAN, has had his fair share of problems since shedding his maiden in eye-catching fashion.

A year later he still only has that single win to his credit but that can change at Greyville tonight when he steps out onto the poly again.

Since a barrier trial, Dennis Bosch’s charge has run close over the Scottsville shortcut although recently a six-length drubbing in a Progress Plate.

He faced a useful field that day with Red Chesnut Road and Dawn Calling ahead of him.

If anything, he faces slightly weaker this evening over what looks to be his optimum tip.

In the line-up is a promising youngster in top weight Desolate Road but Chantyman may just have the edge in fitness.

Tony Rivalland’s colt has only had three starts, winning on debut and more recently finishing second to the smart Chimichuri Run.

That last out in was some two months back and he may be caught short of peak fitness.

Of the balance Whorly Whory has put up two smart efforts over course and distance and with a 4kg claimer up must also have a shout.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Elusive Diva should take a power of beating.

She improved nicely at her second local outing on the poly and is rated way better than anything else in the line-up.

Champagne Gold finished runner-up behind Oratorina on Wednesday. It was a smart effort in a race that was run at a pedestrian pace but she may not take her place here. A weak field is carded to face the starter in the fourth where it may prove prudent for exotic bet punters to load up.

Wendy Whitehead and Stuart Randolph teamed up for a double on Sunday and send out Sovereign Soldier.

He was not far back from a tricky draw last run and has pulled a better gate here.

He has consistent form over course and distance.

Likely dangers are Slightly Scottish who is seldom too far back and has a decent chance in this lineup, while Haddington has been off form of late but he takes a rating drop and as a five-time winner warrants serious consideration.

Another wide-open affair faces punters in the fifth. Master Sam has dropped in the ratings and is also down in class which adds to his appeal.

Caddy Master, who cased a major boil-over when shedding his maiden, has not been far back at recent outings.

A light weight and a decent draw puts him in the picture.

Eccellerate is battling for a win but has dropped a long way in the ratings and could be competitive while Lord Of Glencoe took an age to shed his maiden but did so in a competitive field and can follow up.

Anton Marcus is back aboard Fieldmarshal Fenix in the seventh who has been knocking at the door for some time now.

He goes well over course and distance and with a decent draw can be rewarded. Dangers are many but Subtropical has improved in blinkers and ran a cracker first up from a break over course and distance while Play The Night has been up against stronger since his maiden win and off his light weight should be ultra-competitive.

The last is another tricky race but Cherry Pop was a recent maiden winner but that form has been franked so she can go in again. Sheik’s Storm comes from a very much in form stable but does have a big weight while Mitra Music has her third run after a break and with a claiming apprentice up should be right there from a good draw.