2.05 Chester
Betfair Huxley Stakes (For The Tradesman's Cup) (Group 3)
(Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £31,190
Advice: 2 pts win Questioning (3/1 general)
Wigmore Hall: Gained a deserved Group 1 win after many
unlucky trips (most of all when blocked for a run behind Cape Blanco in
Arlington Million) in Canadian International; No wins since despite strong
efforts in many races, never able to get a blow into the Dubai Duty Free or the
Ganay the last twice, but these are calmer waters; Saddled with penalty and
would want it a touch quicker though. 
Questioning: Improved on all form last season and his
seasonal debut when winning the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket, beating Group 1
winner Twice Over; Followed that up with a really creditable second in the
Bet365 Mile, this year run on heavy ground; 3lbs penalty for his Group 3 win
but that form as good as any here, has plum draw, and sure to go on the ground
so has to be highly respected. 
Glen’s Diamond: Stepped up from maiden win at land Nursery
at two (two wins from three starts); Looked group class when winning with off
mark of 90 in 1m1f Musselburgh handicap on seasonal debut & confirmed that
impression when running out ready winner of Dee Stakes; Not gone on from that
since but showed signs of a return to form in Dubai. 
Hunter’s Light: Created Group class impression when slamming
Dee Stakes 2nd in maiden at Newmarket & made quick amends for Royal Ascot
disappointment (behind Slumber) when toughing it out having made smooth headway
at Hamilton; Staying on third in the Gordon Stakes and then disappointed in the
Voltiegur but shaped like group class horse when completing Listed double at
end of last season and goes on this ground, so has to be of considerable
interest. 
Junoob: Had shown rapid improvement throughought the winter
on the All Weather since moving to Dascombe yard locally, including Listed race
in February; Not upto the big occasion but never got a run, although needs to do
much better than his third in Doncaster conditions contest here.
Macret: Consistent in Italy (10 time winner) and ran really
well on his first start for the yard when third in the Al Rashidiya; Not really
found same form since in either Al Fahdid or handicap off 108 but handles soft
ground and deserves to take his chance here with Ryan Moore an eyecatching
boking for Chester mad owner Marwan Koukash. 
Price Siegfried: Game and gutsy winner of the Winter Hill
Stakes three starts back but since been well beaten by Hunter’s Light on his
next start and Questioning on his comeback and looks set to be outclassed here
on all form. 
St Moritz: Strict form chance on his second (demoted to
third upon interference with Questioning and entitled to improve a little as it
was his first run since Jan; Steps up in trip though and this ground quite a
worry.
Myplacelater: Lost her way since last peak of her efforts,
notably when second to Crystal Capella in the Pride Stakes; Handles soft ground
(career best on it) but needs to find her way again.
VERDICT: A good renewal. Little separates Hunter’s Light and
COLOMBIAN in the betting but with the plum draw (at least for positional
reasons, if not for the rail that the riders were shirking at the end of
yesterday’s racing), and three runs under his belt this season, John Gosden’s 4
year old gets the vote despite giving 3lbs to the Goldophin charge. Macret is
interesting if at his best (like his first UAE run) while Wigmore Hall has the
class to be involved despite his penalty.
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