Declan Carroll setting Saigon City on the road to Chester Cup

Unibet Supporting Owlerton Greyhound Stadium Sheffield Conditions Stakes | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ATR

A 'you are here' race, utilised by connections of useful handicappers to plot a path to big prizes later in the spring, but with just shy of £13,000 to the winner it is a race worth taking in its own right.

Last year's winner Chemical Charge went on to finish second in the Group 3 John Porter on his next start – behind Muntahaa who was third in this race – while fourth-placed Frontiersman dotted up at Newmarket next time and then finished what appeared to be an unlucky second in the Coronation Cup.

In between them all finished Saigon City, who was second at 50-1. He went on to win his next start back in handicap company and trainer Declan Carroll is hoping he can do the same again.

Frontiersman: Group 1 performer finished fourth in this race last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Although, perhaps noting what other graduates from the race went on to achieve, he has greater ambitions this time.

"He ran in the race last year and ran well," said Carroll. "The trip's probably a little on the short side for him, but it's a good starting point for him and we can hopefully kick on after this.

"He'll be running in plenty of good handicaps and all being well we'll think about taking him to the Chester Cup."

The main opposition this time appears to come from former King Edward VII winner Across The Stars, who has run twice in Dubai for Richard Hannon already this year, and the John Gosden-trained Royal Line.

Four-year-old Royal Line, who runs in the colours of Sheikha Al Jalila made famous by her father, Sheikh Mohammed, is the least exposed of the field after four runs and brings some neat continuity to the race.

He last ran on the final day of the 2017 turf season, going off favourite for the Betfred November Handicap over this course and distance. He finished seventh of 23, beaten just over four lengths.

His trainer, naturally, also has bigger targets on the horizon. He said: "It's not a strong race which is why he's in it but he'll come on for the run."

The field is completed by a couple who have the benefit of a recent run behind them. Great Hall has been placed twice in similar events on the all-weather in recent weeks, while Max Liebermann won a jumpers' bumper at Southwell earlier in the month.

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