2.30 Royal Ascot (Day 2, Race 1)
Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3YO only)
Winner £42,532
Advice: 1 pt win Gale Force Ten (11/2 Stan James), 1 pt win
Garswood (6/1 general)
Blaine: Possible to forgive final 2 year old start due to
the ground being slower than he’d have liked in the Middle Park but get the
feeling that he won a weak Gimcrack and flopped on return in France; Hard to
fancy him giving away weight and upwards. 
Pearl Flute: Useful as a 2yo, third to What A Name in
Rochette Stakes and then a fairly clear cut winner of the Rochette before Group
1 third in Italy; Since exposed twice at Group 1 level and that makes him hard
to fancy here despite his recent Group 3 win in France. 
Tawhid: Promising 2 year old last season, impressive when
winning well twice on soft ground, and it would seem that’s what he needs to
show his best given his well beaten last in Craven Stakes; Only third in German
Guineas granted his surface and opposeable. 
Ajraam: Made all when winning what’s turning out to be a
strong Wood Ditton (third and fourth both won since and plenty placed) and then
ran on well to defy hefty weight to beat next time out winner in Thirsk
handicap; Has significant potential to improve after just two races and
shortlisted. 
Complimentor: Three time juvenile winner, twice in
conditions races on Polytrack, and thrice placed in Listed company this year,
but lot to do to make step up to this level.
Don’t Bother Me: Won maiden last summer and twice runner up
in Listed company since, but exposed in-group company several times and others.
Gale Force Ten: Consistent at as high level as juvenile over
range of trips (although mainly shorter, as shown when second in Norfolk here)
and trained on in no uncertain terms, as shown by his Dundalk listed win,
French guineas fourth and Irish Guineas second; Leading form player on that
evidence. 
Garswood: Sprinter as 2yo but much matured based on impressive
Free Handicap win where he cruised through most of field and was able to idle
at the end on seasonal return and while he was only seventh in Guineas, that a
big step up and one gets the feeling that he can do better. 
Here Comes When: May have more to give still as he was greatly
unsuited by the track when fourth in the Surrey Stakes latest but will have to
be better than his hiked mark of 97 to make an impact here. 
Ian’s Dream: Third in the Norfolk last year but hasn’t gone
on from that in any way or form and hard to recommend after being pushed out to
win 6f AW maiden latest. 
Jammy Guest: Slow to get away and then didn’t get home in
1m2f listed contest at Newmarket; Should enjoy step back down in trip but work
to be doing to get involved properly. 
Montridge: Below par reappearance but took record to 3-5
when a smooth winner of four runner Listed contest at Sandown (1m, good to
soft) and Autumn Stakes form is extremely promising now; Has to enter
calculations. 
Music Master: Still retains significant potential following
second to Dundonell in strong Listed event from which third/fourth have won
since, having previously confirmed promise of only 2yo start when winning
Newmarket maiden on reappearance; Will likely come on again for that and has to
be taken into account here. 
Mutin: Looks to be the best of the French raiders and
Soumillion’s pick of Jean Claude Rouget pair, having taken his record to 4-4
with win at Listed level latest, looking as if he’ll appreciate the drop back
in trip greatly (only just held on in Saint Cloud event over 1m); Has to be
respected. 
Ninjago: Unable to follow up easy Listed win here over 6f
when beaten at Newbury latest, making laboured headway into third latest; 7f
might suit him better but doubt he has the class to get involved. 
One Word More: Listed second at Deauville last year and
third in good conditions contests but only two times he’s actually ran in Group
1 company. 
Parliament Square: Stable second string here but listed
winner last term and third in the Prix Morny as well; Not anything near as good
since but stable won with second string last year and needs respecting.
Tamayuz Star: Good second on handicap debut in valuable
Goodwood event but that nowhere near good enough and well behind Music Master
in Newmarket listed event latest. 
The Brothers War: Seems to stay 7f but shaped like a
sprinter when winning three Listed events in France, including at Chantilly
latest (beat Complimentor); Needs to find more but progressive and respected
for all this may stretch his stamina. 
Well Acquanited: Consistent colt who has run well at Group
3/Listed level, including winning Listed race at Epsom last time; However, well
behind Garswood and Music Master on last two runs and this a much tougher race.
Pearl Sea: Raced only against her own sex, albeit at fairly
high level, for all that he was unable to build upon her Lowther Stakes fourth
in Listed event and unable to land a blow in Listed event at York just over a
month.
VERDICT: A fiercely contested and competitive renewal, for
all that GALE FORCE TEN, Montridge, GARSWOOD and Mutin look to have the best
form. Preference is for Aidan O’Brien’s first string, whose French and Irish
Guineas efforts are the best form in the field, and Garswood, who is better
than he was able to show at Newmarket and will enjoy dropping back to 7
furlongs today. Best of the rest are Music Master and Ajraam, both of whom can
outrun their prices, especially the latter who has more to give after just two
runs.
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