Bet365 Ben Marshall Stakes 2010

2.35 Newmarket
Bet365 Ben Marshall Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £19,870

Pick: Kingsfort (win)

Alexandaros: Class horse at his best, with his Lockinge Stakes second the highlight of his runs last year and seemingly retained that form judged on his Group 2 win a Group 2 second at Meydan in Dubai (added to Diomed second); Since come third in Group 1 but shocking in Joel Stakes last time and might have had long season.

Mia’s Boy: Came runner-up in 3 listed races earlier in season, and showed more ability than seen for a while when fourth at Doncaster last Saturday; This demands more.

Secrecy: Building a solid/consistent profile, winning minor events at Kempton and Salisbury on 2 of last 3 starts and coming third in Sovereign Stakes, second in Listed race at Haydock 2 starts back; Dettori has taken Alexandaros but Spencer decent choice and holds decent form.

The Cheka: Looked exceptional on debut as a 2 year old and has only had 3 runs since; Only seen once as a 3 year old, getting better of very useful horse in Ashram here in Conditions Stakes; Ran a very promising race in Bet365 Mile but was a little disappointing in Lockinge; Been disappointing since.

Balducci: Has been extremely progressive this spring, winning a Newmarket maiden and hot 1m Haydock handicap; Disappointing since but back to form when chasing Secrecy home last time; Not out of it.

Kingsfort: Looked set for big things when just getting better of Chabal in National Stakes last year, but gained injury after being transferred to Godolphin; Travelled strongly for a long long way on belated return 4 weeks ago and plenty of improvement can be expected.

Nationalism: Flopped when favourite for Cambridgeshire, having been subject of massive gamble when winning over 9f at Goodwood in September; Still possibly unexposed and not discounted by blinkers not good sign up in class.

Letty: Useful Hungarian filly, won 3 times at Budapest this year and also runner-up in Swiss 1000 Guineas; Needs a lot more than when ninth in Group 3 here a fortnight ago and also might have problem settling.

VERDICT: A tight affair which may well be dominated by Godolphin runners. Alexandaros and Secrecy are entitled to take big hands, while there’s a good chance we haven’t seen the best of Nationalism, but KINGSFORT travelled well for a long way on his belated return and could go close with improvement.