Newmarket July Meeting - Princess Of Wales's Stakes

3.00 Newmarket (July)

Princess Of Wales's sportingbet.com Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £45,368

Pick: Redwood (win)

Afsare: Unlucky not to win on debut last season, but made up for that by going unbeaten for the rest of the year, including a hard fought win at Royal Ascot when he beat subsequent Group 2 winner Wigmore Hall; Has had slow start to season but back to form when second in Listed event over this C&D; This another step up in class.

Campanologist: Consistent performer who reached peak last season with consecutive Group One wins in Germany in the Von Lotto and Pokal in July/August respectively; Third to Dangerous Midge in September reads well and forgiven Melbourne Cup flop at the backend of last season; Disappointing on return but more like it when second in Tattersalls Gold Cup; Well held in Hardwicke Stakes latest.

City Leader: Plenty of class and back to form when getting bet of subsequent winner in 10f Listed event at Goodwood last time but step up in trip not sure to suit and this presents a far stiffer task for him.

Laaheb: Progressive for past two season and competed Group 3 double when getting better of long fight with Whispering Gallery in Cumberland Lodge Stakes; Posted career – best in Dubai when fourth in Sheema Classic behind Rewilding but disappointing when well behind Campanologist in Jockey Club Stakes; Well beaten in Hardwicke and possibly best left alone.

Redwood: Has improved no end since winning Glorious Stakes at Goodwood, winning the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes before just finding one too good in strong Grade 1’s the last twice, gong down to Prince Of Wales’s Stakes winner Rewilding in Dubai latest, and the one to beat here.

Ted Spread: Showed potential as a 3yo when winning Chester Vase and coming fourth in Voltigeur Stakes; Blew out on other occasions but right back to best when second in strong listed race last time; This tougher again.

Crystal Capella: A Group 1 filly in all but name, with 7 wins from 12 (notable for this assignment that she has won first time out for the last three years running) & proved as good as ever when slamming her field in the Pride Stakes last season; Too free when well behind Mastery in the Hong Kong Vase but that forgiven and reappearance should have put her spot on for this.

Myplacelater: Improved out of all recognition last year, beating top class Wigamore Hall at Doncaster before romping home with an excellent second in a Group 2 at Newmarket in October; Needed the run on reappearance but this no easier.

Buthelezi: Had his quirks but still rapidly progressive as a juvenile when winning maiden and nursery & confirmed his progress when winning competitive handicap on seasonal reappearance; Respectable efforts all runs since although well held in useful conditions contest last time.

Dordogne: Ground his way to a Listed win on debut this season and made amends for blip when he held off stablemate (who was hanging badly and has disappointed since); shouldn’t be underestimated but this looks hard for him.

VERDICT: Crystal Capella has only raced against Males once but don’t let that put you off a high class mare who’s likely to be at peak form for this. She may find one too good in REDWOOOD though, who has found only top class horses too good the last thrice and will make a bold bid here.