Woods set for Newmarket test Mark Johnston`s promising three-year-old Down To The Woods will be on a `fact-finding mission` in the Victor Chandler European Free Handicap at Newmarket tomorrow. The Free Handicap has attracted a field of 10 runners headed by the Barry Hills-trained Shaard. Shaard`s owner Hamdan Al Maktoum also has Ghayth in the seven-furlong Listed contest with first jockey Richard Hills in the saddle. Willie Supple is on Shaard. Down To The Woods, beaten a short head by Shaard at Doncaster in October, reopposes on 1lb better terms tomorrow. However, Johnston believes his charge will come on for the run. The Middleham trainer said: 'He is on a fact-finding mission tomorrow. There are several factors involved. The soft ground is a worry and we are a bit unsure about the trip - he may not get seven furlongs. 'He hasn`t changed a lot over the winter. He could have done with filling out a bit more which gives the impression he may not be 100 per cent. 'He`s working OK but ithas been too wintry and he isn`t really thriving yet. 'We don`t have any fixed plans for him at this stage.' Richard Hughes partners Horris Hill Stakes winner Clearing for the John Gosden yard. Earlier on the card Hughes will be on Distant Music, who returns to action in the Weatherbys Earl Of Sefton Stakes. The colt was the leading British juvenile of 1999 and he went on to prove himself as good as ever last year by finishing third to Kalanisi and Montjeu in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October. His five rivals in tomorrow`s nine-furlong Group Three contest are Doncaster Mile first and second Right Wing and Albarahin, Umistim, who beat subsequent Sagitta 2000 Guineas winner King`s Best in last season`s Craven Stakes, Jeremy Noseda`s Fanaar and Cambridgeshire victor Katy Nowaitee.
