Straw Bear is eyecatcher of the day

THERE is a decent prize waiting for Straw Bear judged on the three-year-old’s highly-impressive performance in the 10-furlong Vale UK Handicap at Haydock yesterday.

Mark Prescott’s colt cruised home on going described as heavy, soft in places by five lengths, despite shouldering a 6lb penalty for a win at Ayr.

The handicapper is sure to take a dim view of yesterday’s performance but Straw Bear is clearly improving rapidly and he remains very much a horse to follow, particularly when there is cut in the ground.