Royal Ascot 2013 - King Edward VII Stakes

3.05 Royal Ascot (Day 4, Race 2)

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £99,242

Advice: 1 pt each/way Mutashaded (7/1 general)

Battle of Marengo: had the look of a top staying 3yo from his early days when landing Listed event and then Beresford Stakes, and won two preferred Irish Derby trials before fourth in the Derby at Epsom, setting won modest gallop before sticking on well for fourth; That form sets a very high standard here and more of a worry is how he’s recovered and whether he’s crying out for 1m4f; Not always pulled through with effort on fast ground.

Contribuiter: Wouldn’t want to judge him based on latest defeat in two runner listed event but even then winner was very progressive and Group 3 second to Magician obviously looks good now; Should go well here upped in trip and not discounted.

Fantastic Moon: Looked to be a very smart colt when following up debut win with Solario Stakes success, but not shown same form since, albeit not much gone right for him since (blocked in run in Group 2 and then missed break at Breeders’ Cup); Needs to simply do better then return but only the 5 runs and if he can finally settle better, looks as if he’d stay the 1m4f;

Greatwood: Big disappointment in Dante Stakes but everything before that had suggested he’d enjoy step upto 1m4f, closing rapidly to Windhoek in Newmarket listed event, and that form was boosted with Listed win; Needs to find yet more.

Havana Beat: Useful form in four starts so far, well behind Derby winner Ruler of the World when not liking the steady pace and small field; Behind Greatwood in sales race at Newmarket before that and looks held on that basis however.

Hillstar: Plenty of debut promise shown at Sandown and then a good winner at Leicester when well backed favourite; Possibly slightly disappointing when beaten twice at odds on in handicaps this term but those both strong events and surely going to enjoy stepping up in trip here, so shortlisted.

Mutashaded: Plenty to like about the way he got job done in 1m Yarmouth maiden (heavy ground) and then when following up in Sandown handicap (1m2f, strong at the end); Form of both races matches up to little or nothing but more to come for 1m4f and still worth taking a chance on here.

Tah’ir: Impressive winner of Chesham Stakes here last year and never let himself down in group company since barring his last in Prix Jean Luc; Lot of strong form to his name and no surprise to see him go well.

VERDICT: If Battle of Marengo is in the same form as he was when fourth in the Derby then defeat would be disappointing but he’s had just 20 day s to recover from that, didn’t convince totally in his start before that, and doesn’t seem to be crying for a strongly run 1m4f, should that be the case today, while only one winner has come from the Derby to win the King Edward. At odds on, he comes with risks attached against a field that still has something to offer, for all collateral form is worth little, and the way in which MUTASHADED stretched out to land a Sandown handicap over 10f suggests we could see a different horse today at his first start over this extended distance and he gets the each/way vote ahead of Hillstar and Contributer.