Green Door is perhaps not the most straightforward of horses but his class can prevail in the Eddie And Violet Smith Conditions Stakes at Beverley.
Winner of last year’s Flying Childers, Olly Stevens must surely have been a little disappointed with him since that effort last September as he has failed to hit the mark in seven subsequent outings.
He has certainly been highly tried though, as he was pitched into the Middle Park Stakes at the end of last term and reappeared this season in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, where his eight-length defeat in 12th was possibly not all that bad considering the calibre of the opposition.
Green Door was then dropped back in company to Group Three level, where he made little impact behind stablemate Extortionist at Sandown, before being switched to handicaps and turning in a fair effort to be placed at Chester.
A mark in excess of 100 never makes handicaps an easy route and after a disappointing performance under a heavy burden at the Curragh in July, Stevens reassessed and set his sights back on conditions races.
That paid dividends with a second at Nottingham, when a slow start cost him dear, and another second at Leicester last time, although he should have won as he was in front before cocking his jaw with just strides left.
The winner that day, Ajjaadd, is something of a course specialist and has since placed in a Group Three so the form has a solid look about it.
Stevens again employs cheekpieces rather than blinkers and while Green Door has a tough assignment at the weights, he should on the premises if he can recapture his best form of last year.
Tasmanian struck gold at Newcastle and can follow up in the Leaconfield Search & Rescue Squadron 50th Anniversary Handicap for Mark Johnston.
Fourth on his first couple of outings, the Invincible Spirit colt finally got his head in front when seeing off Kiss Of Spring in convincing style over a mile at the beginning of September.
BALLINROBE: 2.35 Credulous, 3.05 Canitbe, 3.35 Swantykay, 4.10 Melbourne Lady, 4.40 Boherna Lady , 5.10 All Fired Up, 5.40 The Crafty Butcher, 6.10 All The Aces.
BEVERLEY: 2.10 Resonant, 2.40 Aneedh, 3.10 Intruder, 3.45 Green Door, 4.15 Tasmanian, 4.45 Ellaal, 5.15 Al Furat, 5.45 Zainda.
LINGFIELD: 2.20 Dolorous, 2.50 Swaheen, 3.20 Sylvan Spirit, 3.55 Ninfea, 4.30 Black Vale, 5.00 Peril, 5.30 Sexy Secret, 6.00 Sweet P.
NEWCASTLE: 3.15 Miss Tree, 3.50 Brisk, 4.20 Bob, 4.50 Moscato, 5.20 Figment, 5.50 Ya Halla, 6.20 Rocky Desert, 6.50 Modify.
NOTTINGHAM: 2.00 Wiggle, 2.30 Lulani, 3.00 Heavenly River, 3.30 Romance Story, 4.05 Hesbaan, 4.35 Only Ten Per Cent, 5.05 Winter Spice.
DOUBLE: Green Door and Tasmanian.