Timeform Jury Stakes 2011

3.35 Haydock

Timeform Jury Stakes (Registered As The John Of Gaunt Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £28,385

Pick: Regal Parade (win)

Beacon Lodge: Only made it to track three times last season but performed admirably in good races & at best when winning C&D listed event with something to spare on return; Will go forward from this and one of main contenders to better second in this event a year ago.

Doncaster Rover: Well behind Jimmy Styles when first run back from stint in Dubai, having been well beaten on both runs there; Well beaten in series of top races last season and has a lot of work to do to be making an impact here.

High Standing: Has made up into a very high class sprinter over the past year and a half and got not run until last furlong in Maurice De Gheest, so very encouraging to see him making such fast late progress into third; Not matched that form since and blinkers need to improve him (although he will come on for seasonal comeback).

Himalaya: Confirmed himself group class when making frame in 5 Group races last year; Lost race at the start on debut but just plain poor last time out and much more needed.

Inler: Gambled on and duly delivered on debut here when making all to win by four lengths here October 2009; Not reached same form since but did get first win since at last backend & well beaten in Duke Of York Stakes  last time out.

Katakotsi: Hit a hot streak last season when racking up 4-timer over 7f & proved well up to his mark of 103 when second to Beacon Lodge on seasonal comeback; Well beaten in second last time and needs more.

Regal Parade: Confirmed himself top class in winning Maurice De Gheest and Hackwood last year, although bettered both those efforts when fourth in Prix De La Foret; Things didn’t work out for him on seasonal reappearance but back to best when beating all but Delegator in Duke Of York (slowly away) and the standout on that.

Shakespearian: Tough reliable sort who won well on Godolphin debut at Epsom to start season but had been seemingly exposed since in better races; However, dangerous when allowed to go infront, and beat field rated much higher when allowed lead in Hungerford; If getting easy lead, will be hard to catch but that not likely.

The Cheka: Had immense potential at end of 2009 and failed to fully realize that potential last year (ran below form on a number of occasions) and while he’s run back to form this year, more needed on even that.

VERDICT: The clear choice is REGAL PARADE, whose York second has been majorly boosted since.