OLBG Park Stakes 2012

4.15 Doncaster

OLBG Park Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £56,710

Advice: 1 pt win Strong Suit (2/1 general)

Libranno: Good second behind Chachamaidee in the Lennox Stakes after taking the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket (exceptional course record there) but poor at Newbury latest and others make far more appeal.

Majestic Myles: Creditable efforts in Group events this term, namely when fourth behind Lethal Force and Strong Suit (also behind him in Sprint Cup last week); Much more needed here.

Pastoral Player: First group win at Haydock in June nothing more than he deserved after several promising/unlucky/progressive handicap efforts earlier on over the trip; Unlucky not to win Ascot Group 2 (where trouble at the stalls cost him big time in the end); Needs more here but not out of if bouncing back from below par showing last time.

Penitent: At his best when winning 1m Group 2 on dire, dire ground, but been badly out of form on last two starts at Leopardstown and Longchamp; Needs much more here.

Soul: Sent off a strong favourite for the Hungerford Stakes after smart success over 6f (heavy ground) in Newbury Group 3, that following his Royal Ascot fourth where it looked as if 7f would have suited him down to the ground; Disappointing favourite last time but he did lose and shoe and can’t be discounted that early.

Strong Suit: Excellent last year over 7f as a 3yo, winning three Group races over the trip and greatly impressing when taking the Challenge Stakes at the backend of last campaign; Been nothing like as good this year but the one time he was given good ground over 7f he was a strong finishing second to Lethal Force, who reopposes today; May well have won had he not given such rope and has a great shout here.

Foxtrot Romeo: Length second in Irish 2,000 Guineas and sixth in St James’s Palace Stakes are two pieces of form that should be given major respect, for all that he looked a touch short of pace when returned to this trip at Goodwood in the Lennox; Needs far more but has only had the six starts.

Lethal Force: Seemingly given too much rope when just holding off fast finishing Strong Suit at Newbury latest in the Hungerford Stakes; Should go well here anyway but unlikely to be given such an easy time of things today.

VERDICT: STRONG SUIT hasn’t won since taking the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket last season but a good ground 7f race is his thing and this is just the second time he’s had that this season, so 9/4 is a fair price about him bouncing back to his best at the right trip with the right ground. Soul, Pastoral Player and Foxtrot Romeo are all worthy of chances but it’s hard to get enthused about them on their most recent efforts.