Huxley Stakes 2012

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.