Superlative Stakes 2011

2.20 Newmarket (July)

32red.com Superlative Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £34,026

Pick: Fort Bastion (win)

Chandlery: Ran on gamely and made a good impression on debut when beating better fancied stablemate Coupe de Ville a short head at Goodwood & ran respectably in Coventry Stakes; This probably a little easier for him and merits consideration even if he is stable no 2.

Commissar: Was one of those fancied when left for dead behind Magic City at Newbury and extremely impressive at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day, never in danger and streaking clear final furlong; Brought from Godolphin afterwards but disappointed in Coventry Stakes and needs to find best form now.

Fort Bastion: Well-liked and made a most taking debut when second to well liked Mezmaar in Haydock maiden (form not worked out this week, but still solid nevertheless) and bettered that when nicely clear of rest behind Maybe in Chesham Stakes; Booking of top international jockeys means business from stable who have deep squad of juveniles this year.

Ghostwriting: Value for much more than his neck verdict when beating Juno The Muffinman at Wolverhampton last month (form more than fair of the level) and respected here.

John Lightbody: Probably more ready than many of his rivals when running out a ready winner over Iceni Girl at Kempton, although that takes nothing away from his performance (dampener put on by the fact that fourth horse there was well beaten by Ghostwriting next time out) ; Deserves respect.

Pearl Mix: Destroyed a modest field over 7f on second start at Kempton, having shaped well over the same C&D; Should be equally effective on turf and well worth her place in this field.

Red Duke: No improvement required on fairly strong debut third to Misty Conquest (pitched into Conditions company first time out) when winning maiden at Redcar; Still more needed.

Seneschut: Made a nice debut (backed into favouritism and looked a sure fire winner having taken a long time to get going) but no real improvement when easily beaten by Telwar at Sandown and passed over in this grade.

Silverheels: looked group class when bolting up from a subsequent winner at Windsor despite having veered left after start (still green throughout); sent off favourite for the Norfolk Stakes on this evidence but had nearly all his chances compromised when sent over to the stands side (where only 5 were) and he was eighth; Compromised by slow pace in 3 runner conditions event last time and may be unflattered by those runs; Chance here.

Sir Glanton: Rare first-time-out winner for yard at Goodwood in May, better form in defeat when chasing home Eureka in minor event at Salisbury; Can go well.

Sound Advice: Won on debut despite doing everything wrong, hanging across track as he drew clear; Those kind of issues did not look easily solvable and he can’t afford same here in far better company.

VERDICT: There are quite a few unexposed types in this and the best of them may be FORT BASTION, who’s run to a useful standard on both starts and has the help of a top jockey to help. Last year the same stable scored with a similar type who was also beaten in the Chesham before scoring here. Next best may be the same stable’s Chandlery, with Ghostwriting also given respect.