Author: Best Of Bets

14:25 Sky Bet Melrose Handicap – 1m6f

Effectively, this is the compensation race for the Ebor, over the same C&D just over an hour later and it is again a classy handicap. 

Wild Crusade is the favourite for this but he will need improvement to defy this latest 9lb rise and preference is for the vastly improved CAIUS CHORISTER, who did blog readers a favour at Goodwood last time and is still going from strength to strength.

Trainer David Menuisier has improved this Golden Horn filly by 39lb this season, which really is phenomenal. Her latest success, by just a neck, suggests her winning run may be about to end. However, the front pair were over 4l clear of the rest that day and she just keeps on finding more.

Now she has done what she has done at up to 1m4f, Menuisier has chosen to try find further progress over a longer trip and, given that her dam Corpus Chorister was a relentless stayer herself, this move could again work the oracle. At 8/1 she looks worth backing each-way but may well still be up to winning this.

15:35 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap – 1m6f

Europe’s richest handicap is always a race to savour and the 2022 renewal looks to be no different on paper.

Like many of these big prizes throughout the season, genuine handicappers are often found out at the expense of Group horses in waiting. 

It could work out the same way again this time, when there is once again a significant cohort of Irish-trained raiders up for a tilt at the £300,000 first prize.

Among those is the ante-post favourite Earl Of Tyrone, who is trained by Paddy Twomey. Twomey has enjoyed a superb 2022, including training the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner La Petite Coco. He has Earl Of Tyrone in magnificent form at present. 

In four starts since joining him from John Joseph Murphy, the gelded son of Australia has done nothing but improve. He’s won his last three starts, including a valuable Curragh handicap and also in Listed company last time.

He’s a winner over this trip and ground conditions also look likely to be perfect, so he has a lot going for him and it’s understandable that he’s the ‘jolly’. 

Five of the last eight winners of the Ebor have been trained on the Emerald Isle. None of those have been the race favourite. In fact, only Fujaira Prince, in 2020, has justified market leadership in this race in the last decade, during which time seven of those successful came home in front at double-figure odds.

Candleford looks interesting at 10/1 and is one of two runners in this field trained by Yorkshireman William Haggas. Haggas targets this racecourse for many of his horses and Candleford, who won the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot on his penultimate start, before coming unstuck when stepped up to 1m6f at Newmarket last time, should be a player if he can bounce back from that.

However, it is his stable companion GAASSEE who is my fancy for this great prize. His record is 4-6 so far. Although a beaten favourite at Haydock (1m4f, soft) last time, he is still open to further progress and is clearly held in high regard, given his entry in the Irish St Leger. To justify taking part there he would certainly have to go very close here and he looks a very exciting prospect going up in trip to 1m6f this time.

Haggas is desperate to win this race and, when Gaassee won at this track in May (1m4f), he said that his charge would stay, which suggested he has had this race in mind all along.

Okita Soushi is another Irish raider who comes into this lightly-raced, although with just a Fairyhouse maiden on debut in the win column. Having said that, there was little wrong with his 2l third in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) and a similar effort here should put him right in the mix. However, he does have a lesser Leopardstown effort to put behind him.

Alfred Boucher was a ready winner here on Wednesday in the stayers’ handicap (2m, good) and carries just a 4lb penalty for that 3l success. He has to be taken seriously as a result, but this is as tough as staying handicaps get.

Of all those in opposition to my selection, none is feared more than Ever Present, who was a classy bumper horse for Jessica Harrington and is 3-5 in this code. He got upset in the stalls on his reappearance at Down Royal last month and so there is an excuse for that below par effort. However, he signed off last season with a wonderful performance to destroy a big field of handicappers at Leopardstown (1m5f, good) and, if he can get back to that level, he would be a huge player here. 

David O’Meara has placed Get Shirty very well to win four of his five starts this term, going very close in the other. He stays 2m, acts on a sound surface and won’t mind if it turns soft. He still had a few pounds in hand when winning at Haydock last time and he can’t be ruled out, even with another 5lb rise for this.

Licence is totally unexposed and was last seen running in a Leopardstown Group 3 over 1m4f (good). He looked likely to get this trip when nearest at the finish that day and his trainer, Ger Lyons, won this in 2019 with Mustajeer, so he knows what it takes.

Arguably well treated here is Euchen Glen, who is due to go up 3lb after finishing third behind the far-less exposed Trawlerman at Goodwood recently. The latter carries a 4lb penalty for that improved effort, while Jim Goldie’s Scottish raider, who has been a standing dish in these types of race for years, gets in off the same mark as at the Sussex track. Both are priced at 14/1 and on this occasion, the tried and tested Euchen Glen is preferred of the pair. He looks a handy each-way play at that price and if he avoids trouble, he could well run into a place.

There has been money this week for both Enemy and John Leeper but both look in need of improvement to win.

16.10 Sky Bet Constantine Handicap – 6f

Commanche Falls commands a huge amount of respect here after his wonderful recent effort to make it back-to-back Stewards’ Cup wins.

However, his handicap mark is now eyewatering and this is a different track, where he was well held in his only previous run.

I’m looking no further than SUMMERGHAND here, who has performed well in big field sprints at this track before now, is trained locally by David O’Meara and is on a very handy mark.

I fancied him and put him up as my pick on the blog from Ripon last Saturday but unfortunately those, like him, who went far side that day were significantly disadvantaged. Nonetheless, he came home well and, drawn in stall 2 here, he looks to be worth a play at around 9/1, better if you can get it. Granted a clear run, today could again be his day.

With Royal Ascot, The July Festival and Glorious Goodwood now in the books, this year’s summer flat season meanders into its final month this week and to a meeting now considered one of the biggest on planet racing. Ladies and gentlemen, raise a glass to the Ebor Festival 2022.
As four days of elite racing take place on the Knavesmire at York from Wednesday, the big names and thronged fields have assembled.
The crème de la crème of not only British and Irish stables but also a sizeable international presence will vie for the big prizes of the week, most notably the Juddmonte Stakes, the Nunthorpe and of course, the Ebor on Saturday.
So how are the favourites shaping up?

Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, Wednesday, 15:00

On paper, the first favourite of the meet looks to come in the shape of heavyweight duo of Charlie Appleby and Will Buick on Secret State.
In the colt’s maiden track season, the 3yo lost his first race at Newmarket back in May but has not looked back since, going on a run of four wins in a row.
Here, Secret State goes over 1m4f, the same winning trip from the King George V and last month at Goodwood when victorious over Maksud by over a length.
A horse that simply goes from strength to strength, Buick’s main rival looks to be Deauville Legend who seeks revenge for Royal Ascot, however, Secret State looks good at 2/1 to make it five from six.

Juddmonte Stakes, Wednesday, 15:35

Of the four days in Eboracum country – the name the festival takes from – there is surely no bigger favourite than arguably the best horse around right now: the mighty Baaeed.
Still undefeated in nine, the Juddmonte will be the 4yo’s tenth outing but interestingly, a first at York for William Haggas and Jim Crowley.
Untouchable over 1m, the slightly bigger trip of 1m2f will be Baaeed’s first big test up against resilient stayer Mishriff but won relatively comfortably in the colt’s three races in 2022. The last time pushed was some 10 months ago by Palace Pier at Ascot when Baaeed won by only a neck.
At 4/9 also, Baaeed has gone off at a shorter price before and that might prompt a little more caution from punters given the last two races at Goodwood and Royal Ascot, where late efforts were required. With that said though and even at the longer distance, surely Baaeed will be top of multiple bet slips this week.

Yorkshire Oaks, Thursday, 15:35

Thursday big draw from a punter’s point of view looks to be with Alpinista.
Looking to join a pantheon of legends to have won both this and The Oaks at Epsom – most recently last year with Ryan Moore on Snowfall – Sir Mark Prescott’s ride holds one of the biggest winning streaks of any horse this week, having won the last six races over 1m4f. Even in the two races prior Alpinista came runner-up and before that won comfortably at Salford in August 2020.
Unbeaten since April of last year then, the 5yo again looks a force to be reckoned with and at 15/8 will go off a well-backed favourite.

Lonsdale Cup, Friday, 14:25

Could this finally be the perfect swansong for Stradivarius?
Beaten by Kyprios on the last two occasions, the 8yo came home ahead of Trueshan at Goodwood last month. With no Kyprios in sight here, it looks to be a two-way scrap.
Looking to win the Lonsdale Cup for a remarkable fourth year on the bounce (Ebor was cancelled in 2020 due the pandemic) Stradi has dominated this race since beating Count Octave in 2018.
His last win came here back in May, on a Knavesmire he holds no less than six wins on; York is arguably this horse’s favourite track. But a word of caution.
Trueshan has come out on top three times before – twice last October. Furthermore, before Goodwood, the 6yo gelding had won five on the spin. After such a dry and hot summer the ground will likely be firm, but rain is expected to soften the going – music to the ears of Hollie Doyle.
With that said, it will have to pour buckets for Trueshan to be in his element. With Andrea Atzeni keen to prove the Gosdens correct in their choice to replace Frankie Dettori, Stradivarius currently at evens is surely still one of the bigger favourites this week.

Nunthorpe Stakes, Friday, 15:35

Finally, of the fillies to take note of at this year’s Ebor, The Platinum Queen might be the standout favourite to claim Friday’s main event.
Now into just the third month of her career, Richard Fahey’s 2yo was hugely impressive at Goodwood only weeks ago, bouncing back from something of a no-show in the Queen Mary.
Winning on debut at Ripon, Oisin Orr rode to victory at York back in June by a similar margin of victory by almost 4l but for the first time here however, Hollie Doyle will take over.
The Platinum Queen’s pedigree and reputation is building rapidly and with another win this week at 5/2, her star will rise further. Royal Acclaim is currently priced shorter but may have to play second fiddle.

13:05 – British European Breeders Fund EBF Maiden Stakes – 7f

Classic produced the best piece of form on offer here when an eyecatching fourth of 14 in a Newbury novice event (7f, good) recently. He can improve on that and could prove tough to beat.

However, he is short enough when there are plenty of unknowns here and the suggestion is to oppose him, each-way with LOYAL TOUCH. The Charlie and Mark Johnston-trained runner will need significant improvement on his debut effort, when third of 10 in a Salisbury maiden (7f, good to firm) last month. 

He took a while to get the hang of things that day and came home well, fuelling optimism that he can take a big step up. The stable has saddled two of the last 10 winners of this race and know the type needed to win it and we should take the hint.

The Foxes showed plenty of promise at Newbury (6f, good) on debut but couldn’t build on that in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm). He can’t be written off after that and would be a player if back on track.

Bussento is the more interesting of the two debutants but his pedigree doesn’t hint strongly at a first-time win in a field of this quality.

13:40 – Coral Stewards’ Sprint Handicap (Consolation race for The Stewards’ Cup) – 6f

LETHAL LEVI has been progressive of late and is taken to complete a hat-trick, despite carrying a penalty. His two recent Newmarket wins (both 6f, good to firm) have come when making all and with a good draw here, he could again dominate if his 3lb claiming jockey can bounce him out when the gates go back. His latest ready success suggested he is not done winning yet.

There has been pre-race money for Nelson Gay, who has been thereabouts in several 5f and 6f sprints in Class 2 and Class 3 handicaps this season. He acts on a sound surface and Ryan Moore has been by Richard Hughes for the mount, fuelling confidence. However, countering that, he is only 1-17 on turf so backing him for a place, rather than the win, may be the way to go if you fancy him.

Mokaatil won a Class 3 at Epsom (5f, good to firm) in April. He was below par both here (5f, good) and at Chester (5f, good to soft) in Class 2 races on his next two starts but came back to form last time out when a good fourth in the Dash at Epsom on Derby Day. He is not ruled out from 1lb lower.

This C&D and fast ground suits Treacherous, who has two wins here to his name, including this race in 2020, when 3lb higher. You’d have to be prepared to put a line through his latest effort at Ascot to wager but the form of his prior run at Windsor would entitled him to claims. He looks to have each-way potential at 20/1.

14:10 – Coral Summer Handicap – 1m6f

BAGUE D’OR is a hat-trick seeker and is largely a very consistent performer. He is 4-10 so far, plus three second-placed efforts and he looked like that was still a fair bit more to come when he was always doing enough to hold off Berkshire Breeze at Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) last time.

A 3lb rise for that looks very fair and he is the suggestion at 8/1 in an open-looking heat.

The talking horse here is Soapy Stevens, who has been in flying form of late, winning at Chester (2m, good) last month and then at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) last time. 

He ran on strongly that day when finally finding some daylight and, although with a blanket finish the temptation may be to think that he has come to the end of his run, he might well have won by further if Franny Norton hadn’t had to wait so long for an opening.  He may still prove good enough to complete his own hat-trick and should be thereabouts.

The Gosdens are putting a hood on Trawlerman this time. His Chelmsford win (1m2f, AW) in April suggests he is well treated here but he was well beaten in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot and again behind Soapy Stevens at Newmarket last time, giving him a bit to prove at the moment.

Valley Forge was a 2m (good) winner at Haydock in May and could come into this on that form, although he needs to be better than when last seen in the Northumberland Plate.

14:45 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) – 1m6f

Emily Dickinson is progressing nicely despite not having won since taking a Naas maiden in April. Aidan O’Brien sends her over for this after she was arguably unlucky not to have finished closer to the front three when fourth in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh recently.

She looks a big player but SEA LA ROSA may have the edge. The William Haggas-trained filly won the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock Park in May (1m4f, good) and returned there to finish second over the same C&D (soft) in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks earlier in the month.

She is already a Listed winner over 1m5f and this extra furlong looks well within her compass. She continues to find a little improvement with each run and is taken to make it 5-9 on turf.

The Listed winner Yesyes finished her three-year-old campaign with a couple of tough tests at Doncaster and Longchamp. Conditions would ideally need to be slower for her to show her best and a better each-way proposition could be Viola.

She is 1-8 on turf but stays at least 1m4f, acts well on a sound or fast surface and, while she has 1¼l to find with the selection on their Haydock running in May, she represents a bit of value at 14/1. 

15:20 Coral Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) – 6f

This is Glorious Goodwood’s traditional cavalry charge and it looks as tricky as ever. Three of the last 10 favourites have won and, in fact, half of the last decade’s winner have been single-figure prices, with the longest-priced winner being Lancelot Du Lac, who won the 2017 renewal at 25/1.

In such large fields (28 go to post here) it has paid to go either low or high, rather than middle, during the last decade and one who fits that bill, as well as ticking a few others boxes, is REGIONAL.

Ryan Moore is a very interesting booking on the Edward Bethell-trained four-year-old, who is priced up at 16/1 and is an each-way suggestion. A debut winner at Pontefract (5f, good to firm) when trained by Richard Fahey in 2020, he also scored on his debut for this trainer last September (6f, good to firm; first-time tongue-tie) at Haydock Park.

He wasn’t quite at his best at Epsom last month, which came after a break but he then produced a career-best when a neck second at Doncaster (5f, good) last time. With only 10 starts to his name, he is lightly-raced for a sprinter and, from the same mark as last time (BHA 100), he is the suggestion.

Mr Wagyu finished ahead of the selection when scoring at Epsom last month. He is also in excellent form, having won a valuable handicap at the Curragh recently (6½f, good). He has to lump another 6lb penalty around with him here but clearly has to be considered given such good recent form.

Whenthedealisdone looks to have been laid out for this. He won here in a Class 3 last year (5f, good to soft), when 5lb lower and can probably do better than when returning from a break when 3l seventh at Ascot (5f, good to firm) last time. Even so, he doesn’t look to be the best of value trading as the 8/1 favourite at the time of writing.

Inver Park had been red hot of late and arrives seeking a four-timer after wins at Windsor, Hamilton and Ascot over 6f-7f. He’s back in trip from that Ascot win and up another 4lb but he’d have to be feared.

Chil Chil has claims but he has plenty of weight and that combined with a middle draw is a concern, while northern raider Summerghand has ideal conditions and the sort of mark from which he could come into this, though again that middle draw isn’t ideal.

15:55 – Medallia Handicap – 7f

Positive Impact was the facile winner of a Brighton maiden (7f, good to firm) on his penultimate start but stepped on that and his previous form when going very close behind Jimi Hendrix on being returned to 1m (good to firm) at Newmarket last time. 

A 5lb rise for that (front pair were clear) looks fair and this unexposed gelded son of Shamardal remains of interest.

SPIRIT OF NGURU was the back-to-back winner of Kempton novice events (both 7f, AW) last winter. He stepped up on that form when second in a soft ground Haydock contest (7f) on his reappearance and handicap debut earlier this month. 

He’s up 2lb for that and, with both his sire and dam having been very much at home on fast ground, there could be a fair bit more to come from him now that he races on it for the first time. 11/2 could look a giveaway after this race and he is selected.

Galiac returns to the scene of a C&D success (good to soft) in May, when 9lb lower. He has also won at Newmarket since then (7f, good) and kept on well for third at Sandown Park last time. His chance is respected.

The Andrew Balding-trained Wodeton broke his duck at the eighth attempt in a Class 4 event at Epsom last time (7f, good to firm). This looks tougher but that form represented significant progress and perhaps the penny has now dropped. He is not ruled out.

The biggest danger to the selection may prove to be Koy Koy, who won on his debut for George Boughey in a Newmarket Class 2 (1m, good to firm) last time. He looks to have got off lightly with just a 2lb rise and with Ryan Moore booked, he is feared.

16:30 – Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Handicap – 1m1f

Charlie and Mark Johnston come mob-handed to the last race of the meeting. The last time the stable won this was in 2012 and they saddle Forest Falcon, Dutch Decoy and Rainbow Colours, all of whom can have some sort of case made.

Forest Falcon is the strongest of them, his BHA mark of 100 putting him 15lb and more clear than his two stable companions, though that is reflected in the weights. He attempts to win twice at this meeting, having landed the Chesterfield Cup on Tuesday over slightly further (1m2f, good).

A 7lb penalty for that eased down success is probably fair but he is clearly going to need another career-best to add to it and is no longer going to be going off at the 14/1 he scored at earlier in the week.

The Kim Bailey-trained Ajero arrives on the back of a string of seconds, the latest when 6l in arrears of Candleford in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot. He’s up another 2lb for that but should again be thereabouts dropping back to this trip.

The unexposed Bolthole remains of interest, despite finishing down the field in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. The form of his two prior runs at Sandown and then when winning at Newmarket (1m2f, good) suggest he should be heavily involved with the potential for further improvement. Ryan Moore is booked.

However, the suggestion here is SWEET REWARD, who represents Jonathan Portman. Portman trained a winner here on Friday and this five-year-old arrives with a bit to prove after having the run of the race but being comfortably beaten at Sandown last time. However, his prior run there when second in a Class 2 contest (1m2f, good to firm) from just 1lb lower makes the 16/1 on offer too tempting to resist. He is also drawn on the inside which, although not vital, is no bad thing in a field of this size. If he can bounce out nicely for Rob Hornby, he looks to have a sporting chance.

Bestofbets Glorious Goodwood Previews – Friday 29^th July

 

13:50 Coral Goodwood Handicap – 2m4½f

An open handicap to kick off proceedings on day four and for those who fancy taking a chance at long odds, then Baasem, who was absent for well over a year before a respectable hurdles run in May, is interesting at 25/1.

He’s back on the same Flat mark of 80 from which he last won in 2019 and the Dr Richard Newland-trained gelding has few miles on the clock for a six-year-old. He could still have more to offer now stepped up to an extreme trip and, although he has that sort of stamina to prove, he might be worth a small each-way play.

Like Baasem, Super Superjack has it to prove at this level but he stays at least 2m1f and may even be capable of pulling out a bit more now going up to a marathon trip. He is on the same mark as when a close third at Salisbury last time and this consistent stayer could make the frame from an unchanged mark of 82.

RESHOUN is a very good staying handicapper who is in the form of his life aged eight. He’s up another 3lb for a career-best win in a Class 2 Newbury handicap last time. He was the runner-up over slightly further than this in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last month, he goes on any ground and he lots going for him.

Solent Gateway is another to prove he gets this far but is nonetheless and confirmed stayer and is respected from this mark, while the consistent-in-defeat Mellow Magic is arguably a little more exposed and could run well without being able to win.

Withhold and Make My Day can both have cases made and are not dismissed lightly.

 

14:25 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3) – 1m

Berkshire Shadow is a class act who was placed in Listed company last time, having finished less than 2l behind Coroebus in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes the time before. Already a Group 2 winner, it would be no surprise if he gets back to winning ways at this level.

Bayside Boy was just behind Berkshire Shadow in the St James’s Palace Stakes. He had to wait a while to get the breaks that day but he still had time to make more impact than he eventually did, once in the clear. Ryan Moore is booked this time and he enters calculations.

Checkandchallenge has been installed as the pre-race favourite after this Newcastle Listed winner made significant improvement when a close second in a good Sandown Park handicap on his debut in one of those events (1m, good to firm) earlier in the month. He is feared now back in Group company.

However, the value in this race appears more likely to be with ROCCHIGIANI. The son of Time Test has already won in Germany at this level, last year. His last two starts have seen him finish second in the German 2,000 Guineas (Group 2) and Royal Ascot’s Jersey Stakes (7f, good to firm) last month.

Admittedly, he has a few pounds to find if the aforementioned trio run up to their best but this colt is double or even triple the prices of them and at 8/1 he can be backed each-way, particularly if you can find a layer to give you three places.

He looks more than capable of making the first three and could even better that.

 

15:00 Coral Golden Mile Handicap – 1m

A maximum field of 20 head to post for this and it’s another tricky one. The Turpinator looks interesting after scoring here (7f, good) in a first-time tongue-tie last month. He’s already won over a mile and, given his latest success was a career-best and that the front pair were 3l clear, there could be more to come from him now back up in trip and with a 5lb rise.

Blue For You is another who makes some each-way appeal at a working man’s price. The gelded son of New Approach is still on an upward curve and has run well when finding just one too good in successive York handicaps over 1m (both good to firm), including a week ago. He could prove a big player here at 14/1 and is a small stakes suggestion for each-way players.

Sinjaari won a good Sandown handicap (1m, good to firm) last time, while Jimi Hendrix produced his best performance to date when scoring at Newmarket’s July Festival (1m, good to firm) and he is up just 3lb. He merits respect, along with Montassib and the unbeaten Shining Blue.

However, having put him up and watching him duly oblige on his first run since being gelded, I’m sticking with NOBLE DYNASTY (Nap). A Dubawi gelding, he had endured the unkindest cut prior to that reappearance win and it was the authoritative manner of that 2l defeat of Echo Point that suggests he has very strong claims from 3lb higher (he is due to go up by 6lb).

 

15:35 King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2) – 5f

There’s a fascinating renewal of rivalries here between Mitbaahy and RAASEL and it’s the latter who is taken to just edge it again, much as he did at Sandown Park on Eclipse Day.

The five-year-old has won three of his last four and, initiated by a C&D win in a Class 2 handicap in April. Connections have been careful not to go back to the well too often and they were rewarded with that Group 3 success at the Esher track last time, when James Doyle produced him at the perfect moment to challenge in winning fashion.

He still looked to have a little up his sleeve that day and he is 1lb better off with Mitbaahy this time, so there is no obvious reason why that form should overturned if they both run to their optimum.

Mitbaahy is 2-4 this season and clearly also thriving. If Raasel does not bring his ‘A’ game then the Roger Varian-trained colt looks the most likely to take advantage.

The pink and green colours of Fitri Hay could also be to the fore in this contest as she is double-handed with Khaadem and Equilateral. Again, there is little to choose between this pair, with the Charlie Hills-trained former, who got back to winning ways in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes last time.

Equilateral hails from the same stable and is officially 1lb lower than his ‘box buddy’. That is probably fair enough on recent achievements but his recent Group 2 third in Ireland should not be underestimated.

 

16:10 L’Omarins Queen’s Plate Glorious Stakes (Group 3) – 1m4f

It took a little while for REBEL’S ROMANCE to get back to where he’d been after an absence but, in winning the Listed Fred Archer Stakes at Newmarket’s July Festival, the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding showed that he retains all his ability.

Well backed into market leadership that day, he travelled well in a prominent position after an awkward start and won decisively, by 3¾l. Already a Group 2 winner in Meydan at three, this son of Dubawi could not really kick on and make further progress, beginning with this Group 3 contest.

Sir Michael Stoute saddles Regal Reality, who ran with credit in both the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and even more so when a 1½l second to Passion And Glory in the Listed Gala Stakes at Sandown at the beginning of July. He could make further progress now stepping up to this trip and is respected.

The dual Listed winner Fancy Man produced a career-best in a Haydock Class 2 handicap last time. He has been placed several times at Group 3 level and should be involved at the business end.

However, the big danger to the selection could be his stablemate Global Storm, who was outfaced when taking on Yibir at Newmarket last time but still put up a very creditable effort to be third. He looks well worth an each-way play and could be the one for forecast backers.

 

16:45 Coral Beaten By-A-Length Free Bet Nursery Handicap – 6f

EXPLICIT has won a couple of valuable sellers and ran well behind Star Of Lady M at Musselburgh last time. His best efforts would entitled him to be heavily involved here and he looks too big a price to overlook at 20/1. He looks to be a sporting selection and can be backed wach-way.

Bolt Action has been put in as the favourite and arrives for his nursery debut totally unexposed, having won at Leicester (5f, good) on debut and also run with credit last time in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. There’s no denying that he has more potential than the selection but he will also need improvement to defy this initial mark. He’s the clear market leader.

California Glen is seeking a hat-trick after successes in maiden/novice events at Ripon and Beverley (both 5f, good). Her latest success was a big improvement and she is feared, along with Felix Natalis, who scored at Newbury (6f, good to firm) last week and is very much heading the right way.

Remarkable Force is another of interest at a double-figure price.

 

17:20 Oliver Brown Handicap – 1m3f

An open handicap to conclude day four and the in-form Caius Chorister attempts to make it a five-timer and will be high on many lists after sluicing up 19l at Epsom Downs on his penultimate start and then by 12l when back there last time (1m4f, good to firm). He has gone up 23lb for those last two successes and is a major player.

Also unexposed, even less so, is the Sir Mark Prescott-trained OMNISCIENT, who has improved with every run this season. Despite being the beaten favourite on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton earlier this month, he made a big step up on that when dotting up in a maiden handicap at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) last week.

He steps up in trip again and the maestro, Sir Mark, can again come up with the good with an improving performer in this type of contest.

Youthful King is a respected hat-trick seeker, having scored at both Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) and Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) on his last two outings. The latter was particularly eyecatching, and for those looking for some each-way value, he looks a tasty proposition at around the 8/1 mark.

Night Of Luxury is another with claims, having won two of his three turf starts. He is up 6lb for the latest of those at Epsom and can’t be ruled out now going up again in trip.

Those preferring a longer-odds play could do worse than Paradias. Alan King’s colt was too bad to be true on soft ground at Haydock last time. If you are prepared to put a line through that, then the form of his Yarmouth success prior to that suggests that, at 14/1, he is overpriced.

 

13:50 – Coral Kincsem Handicap – 1m2f

An open handicap begins day three proceedings and the one I like the look of here is WARREN POINT. He took a real tug when second in a three-runner Ascot contest (1m4f, good to firm) on his handicap debut last time and as a result of that, he probably ran as well as could be expected.

He drops back in trip this time and looks potentially well treated, with the stronger pace and larger field here much more likely to play to his strengths. He’s a double-figure price, so you can back him each-way and I’d be very hopeful of a profitable return.

Migdam represents the Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore combination and has been put in as the favourite, having won twice at Kempton (both 1m, AW) last September, before returning to score on his handicap debut at Doncaster (1m2f, good) last month.

He’s up 6lb for that, is unexposed and should give a good account again. However, he is half the price of the selection and that doesn’t feel like it’s value for his achievements.

Vee Sight is respected, having won a Sandown Park handicap (1m1f, good to firm) on last month’s reappearance. Asgoodassobergets ran a cracker in Royal Ascot’s Golden Gates Handicap, a ,arked improvement on previous efforts, and he could also have a say at a double-figure price from just 3lb higher.

14:25 – Richmond Stakes (Group 2) – 6f

Coventry Stakes runner-up ROYAL SCOTSMAN faces some potential improvers here but that Group 2 form looks rock solid in the context of this race and the Paul and Oliver Cole-trained colt should take a deal of beating.

His C&D success in a novice event prior to that was an impressive effort, coming on good to soft. The faster ground at Royal Ascot did not appear to be an issue, given his performance, so if things get quicker as the week goes on he also has that base covered.

He looks sure to go off as the favourite and I expect him to justify the odds.

Among those who are considered dangers here, top of the list is Chateau, who is 2-4 so far. Including a Listed success at Newbury (6f, good to firm) last time. That was a significant improvement on his previous efforts and he could go very close.

Connections clearly think plenty of Marshman, who is trained in the north by Karl Burke. Despite rearing at the start and being a pre-race drifter, he confounded that with a comfortable success at Ayr on debut (6f, good). He’ll come on plenty for that and could have a say.

Richard Hannon has won this twice in the past decade and with Ryan Moore up, don’t discount a better effort than his 18/1 odds might suggest by Swift Asset, who won a Windsor maiden last month (5f, good to firm) but came unstuck in the Super Sprint at Newbury (5f, good to firm) last time. Up in trip, he could kick on again although clearly has a bit to prove going up to this level.

 

15:00 – John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3) – 1m4f

Charlie Appleby has trained two of the last nine winners of this race and he saddles the pre-race favourite New London, who is 3-4 to date, his only defeat being in the Group 3 Chester Vase back in May.

That was his previous try at around 1m4f but it wasn’t the trip that beat him that day, more so an astute ride by Ryan Moore on the winner Changingoftheguard.

Back down in grade to a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket’s July Festival last time, the son of Dubawi underlined his class with a comfortable 3l win (1m2f, good to firm).

He can return to this level and prove that he is well up to it with a win this time.

Hoo Ya Mal is officially the top rated performer in the line-up. He was placed in both the Group 3 Craven Stakes and also in Listed company over 1m2f, prior to his excellent second behind Desert Crown in the Derby last month.

He has subsequently left the Andrew Balding stable for George Boughey, who applies a tongue-tie for his stable debut. With that Group 1 form to his name he has to be hugely respected back at this level with Ryan Moore now booked. He is feared.

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained West Wind Blows could also come into this. He finished ninth in the Derby, so has plenty to find with Hoo Ya Mal on a strict interpretation of that form. However, he dropped back to Listed level last time at Hamilton and routed a small field, in what was an improved effort. He is not taken on lightly after that impressive performance.

Grand Alliance, another who was well beaten in the Derby, bounced back well when a close second to Changingoftheguard in the King Edward VII Stakes (1m4f, good to firm) at Royal Ascot, also has  with each-way claims.

15:35 – Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) – 1m2f

NASHWA suffered her only defeat of the season when she was third behind Tuesday and stable companion Emily Upjohn in the Oaks last month but that was still an improved effort.

The Gosdens then dropped her back to this sort of trip in the Prix de Diane, the French equivalent of that Epsom Downs contest. She raced freely that day but stayed on strongly to hold off the sustained challenge of La Parisienne, the front pair finishing well clear of the remainder there on good to soft.

Hollie Doyle’s mount is versatile enough with regard to the going and remains on an upward curve. She is very difficult to oppose.

Dreamloper is officially rated as 1lb higher than the selection. Ed Walker’s filly won the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan (1m1f, good to soft) at Longchamp in May but failed to handled softer conditions in last month’s Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (1m2f, yielding to soft).

She still has to prove she gets this trip but everything suggests that she will, unless the ground again turns soft. She is much respected.

I really liked the look of Concert Hall after her staying-on third to Homeless Songs in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She improved on that when fourth in the Oaks but hasn’t quite kicked on again in either the Pretty Polly or last time out at Belmont Park. She surely has a big one in her at some point and, with cheekpieces added here providing the potential for a little something extra, she is not ruled out.

Group 2 Middleton Stakes winner Lilac Road has been kept back for this and given the excellent placement record of her trainer William Haggas, is another to consider and an almost-certain improver.

16:10 – Jaeger-Lecoultre Nursery Handicap – 1m2f

A really interesting nursery in prospect here where Self Praise looks very interesting for the Hugo Palmer stable. He sports first-time cheekpieces and has 5lb taken off his back by the presence of the useful claimer Harry Burns, having scored over 6f (good) at Chester last time.

Seductive Power produced an improved effort when winning a Newbury novice event (6f, good) last time. His initial park of 84 makes him of interest and he may turn out to be better handicapped than Far Shot, who bounced back from being well beaten in the Windsor Castle last month when finishing a close second when back at Ascot and stepped up to 6f last time.

X J Rascal looked like he could be going places when showing a fair degree of promise when scoring at Brighton on debut (6f, good to firm). He failed to build on that under a penalty in a Carlisle novice event last time but should be capable of better and is not written off.

However, preference is for TRUE STATESMAN. The Johnston stable has trained the winner of three of the last eight renewals of this contest and clearly know the type that it takes to win it.

This son of Churchill has improved with each start and particularly so last time, when he backed up a 6f Chelmsford success with an eased-down 3l win on being stepped up to 7f (good) for his handicap debut at Chester.

An 8lb rise for that may look hefty but the manner of victory suggests that there may still be a fair bit more where that came from and he is taken to score.

16:45 – World Pool Handicap – 5f

A tricky-looking sprint but the in-form DUSKY PRINCE has just about an ideal draw here from stall seven, allowing Hollie Doyle the ability to manoeuvre to either side, if necessary, as the race unfolds.

The gelding has won three off the reel over 5f, those being decisive successes at Wolverhampton and Windsor, while he didn’t need to be as good as in that performance when adding a narrow Doncaster success to his CV last time.

He is nudged up another 3lb for that but it looks fair and he still looks to have room for further progress from this mark.

Get Ahead is the pre-race favourite but it has to be a concern that she hasn’t been able to add to her Ascot debut win from last season, in six subsequent starts. However, she has added some black type in a couple of Listed events during that period, so she has continued to show ability. A 2lb drop for this race will clearly help and, if producing her best, she should be thereabouts.

It’s been a bit of an in-and-out campaign thus far for Swayze, who got back on track with a Class 4 handicap win at Haydock Park last time (5f, soft), when the front pair were clear. He also acts on a sound surface and, after that career-best, it would not surprise if he went close back up in this grade and from 5lb higher.

Sir Henry Cotton, who finished ½l behind Swayze at Haydock, is 2lb better off and was also the best he has produced. He, too, cannot be discounted at a double-figure price and also acts on a sound surface.

 

17:20 – Tatler EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes – 7f

Not a lot of public form for punters to go on here and the suggestion is to side with LUCKIN BREW, who was a significant drifter ahead of her recent debut at Newmarket and stayed on really well to grab second place late on (7f, good to firm).

With that positive experience under her belt and Ryan Moore now up, she is suggested.

In her own way, Zarga put up a similar debut effort at Kempton and she should improve plenty for that, making her a likely contender for Sir Michael Stoute.

She’s Hot drops back in grade from a 6l ninth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and is another of interest, while Mark Johnston has often entered a useful newcomer in this and he and Charlie have entered a Zoffany filly, Berwick Law, who along with the Ralph Beckett-trained Daydream Dancer (€170,000 2yo), are the two more interesting newcomers in the