Liam Neil returns to form

Smart pacer Liam Neil has ended a frustrating run of defeats, taking out last night’s Cowden Insurance Brokers Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.

The four-year-old was winless from his past six starts, but capitalised on a class drop to return to the winners circle.

Driver Emily Suvaljko found the front comfortably from barrier two with Liam Neil and dictated the race from there.

It got quite tight for the David Thompson-trained Liam Neil over the concluding stages as Free To Air emerged from the chasing pack, but he held on to win by a half-head and ran home in 56.9.

Thompson will be hoping for another strong showing from three-year-old Mandy Joan when she lines up in the 3YO Fillies Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The Art Major filly will line up from barrier eight on Friday night, as she looks to continue her solid winter campaign.

Thompson said he was confident Mandy Joan would bounce back to her best form, after she was unplaced as favourite at her most recent start.

“She’s going really well,” Thompson told GPTV Powered By RWWA.

“Things didn’t go right (last start) and she only went okay, but hopefully we can get a bit more luck this time.

“Normally we have been going back, then going forward.

“Having a look here, maybe we might just work forward straight away.

“That’s what first came to mind because she will probably only go around this week, maybe next week, then she will be going to the paddock.”

Last start winners American Delight and Countess Grace look set to provide strong opposition for Mandy Joan on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Eloquent Mach and Major Trojan are set for an enthralling battle once again in Friday night’s $50,000 Binshaw Pace (2130m).

Eloquent Mach defeated Major Trojan three times in the autumn, before Major Trojan turned the tables in the WA Derby.

Stuart McDonald teams up with Eloquent Mach from barrier two, while Major Trojan will be driven by Gary Hall Jnr from barrier 10.

Tim Walker