Summer Mile 2012

3.20 Ascot

Transformers & Rectifiers Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2) (Rnd) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £56,710

Advice: 2 pts win Carlton House (4/5 general)

Cai Shen: Has been in great heart this summer, coming a close second in Lingfield Derby and sixth in Hunt Cup under big weight; Latest Listed third a fair effort but this looks to be a better race and others make more appeal.

Carlton House: Made up into Derby horse last year but didn’t quite get the trip in big events at either Epsom or the Curragh, and good start this season when landing Brigader Gerard Stakes at Sandown with more in hand than winning margin suggested, and quickened very well when second to So You Think at Royal Ascot; Both those starts over 10 furlongs but should have no problem with drop back to a mile (wide margin winner of his maiden at that trip albeit on ground a little slower than this) and should take the beating on form anyway.

Fannulater: Second to Dick Turpin in last year’s renewal of this when getting 3lbs and fourth to same rival in Italian Group 1, both for Marco Botti; Not found the same form this season and hard to see him taking a hand despite booking of Peslier for new yard being an eyecatcher.

Pastoral Player: Career best after many handicap efforts lumped with top weight when winning Haydock Group 3 in cosy style in come from behind fashion; Well beaten in Diamond Jubilee last time and worry ether going a mile will take the pace out of him so others appeal more.

Questioning: Started this season strongly when second behind Penitent (according to Stewards) and then beating Twice Over at Newmarket; Done well on heavy ground twice since when second in Bet365 Mile and fourth in Chester Group 3 but more needed still on those efforts.

Red Jazz: Disappointing when favourite for Haydock Group 3 in which Pastoral Player was easy winner after several good efforts in Group company; Worry that he’s not quite a winner at his level with no wins at this trip and while classy, others make more appeal.

Set The Trend:  Close second on form to Dubawi Gold in Goodwood Mile and smart last season but easily beaten at Goodwood and this his first run for 294 days, so opposable on balance.

Tullius: Useful for Peter Winkworth last season but even better this year for Andrew Balding, take it to 3-3 following the second of two convincing soft ground Listed wins at York last time; This calls for more but hard to think he isn’t on upward curve and sure to go well.

VERDICT: CARLTON HOUSE is the outstanding form pick and the only question here is the drop back to a mile which shouldn’t trouble him based on his running style and turn of foot, while an aggressive ride around the stiff straight mile here can bring his stamina into play. Tulius and Questioning look next best.