Sussex Stakes 2013

3.05 Goodwood

Qipco Sussex Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £170,130

Advice: 2 pts win Toronado (11/4 general)

Declaration of War: Highly touted before he arrived at Ballydoyle and gave strong visual impression when landing hat trick of small races after promising Irish debut; Letdown in the Lockinge but much better the last twice, winning Queen Anne with sharp turn of foot and then taking second in the Eclipse latest (hung right, hampered third); Formline through Mars gives him strong chance and respected.

Gregorian: Seems to be building upon his promising last season in big style time time around, winning well at Epsom before third in Queen Anne; Not turning around that form with Declaration of War though and others preferred.

Reply: A useful  horse in his own right but here to set a strong pace for stablemate.

Trade Storm: Progressed at a rate of knots over the winter in Dubai, taking handicap by 3 & ½ lengths before Zabeel Mile , both times impressing with late burst then; Since been exposed as a very smart horse who might not be upto Group 1 level although overly strong pace is likely to benefit him.

Dawn Approach: The outstanding 2yo who cemented his position as leading 3yo so far this year when making amends for Derby debacle with hard fought win from Toronado at Ascot, the pair both being bumped before fighting out a dramatic finish, with Dawn Approach actually bring passed and then battling back to take the win; Little separates the two but obvious chance today and one could say he sets the standard, while entitled to be in top shape after 43 day break (that run came very quickly after Derby); Will be hard to pass.

Leitir Mor: Very useful in his own right and quite a good sprinter, but will be setting a strong pace for Dawn Approach to chase.

Toronado: Always exciting as 2yo but really sparked the imagination when destroying opposition in Craven Stakes; Disappointing in Guineas when ‘only fourth’, running too hard too early and having nothing left with which to answer burst of Dawn Approach, but found to be wrong afterwards and return in fine form when beaten just a short head in St James’s Palace Stakes, bumped at the same time as Dawn Approach and arguably more baldy affected given he had to go wider, although he did have his fair chance; No reason why he can’t reverse form today given the minuscule margin that separated the two.

VERDICT: The highlight of the week with yet another ‘duel on the downs’ although it would be foolish to forget Declaration of War’s chances given that he’s closely matched on a line through Eclipse fourth Mars. Given how little separated the two last time, there’s no reason for Dawn Approach  to be so much shorter than TORONADO, who gets the vote on value grounds although one could argue that he should have won at Royal Ascot last time. Declaration of War won’t be far behind. 

Gordon Stakes 2013

2.30 Goodwood

 Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £42,532

Advice: 1 pt win Secret Number (6/1 888Sport), 1 pt Elkaayed (11/2 Stan James)

Cap O’Rushes: Much improved for the step upto 12 furlongs when fourth in the King George V H’Cap at Royal Ascot on first run for Saeed Bin Suroor and then outran his odds in the Irish Derby when fourth; That another fine effort but many in that race disappointed and hard to be uber confident about the form for all that he’s got a strong chance here.

Elkayyed: Fourth and second in good maidens last year, most notably best of the rest behind Telescope, and won two races early this year, following up maiden win with comprehensive all the way win in three runner Doncaster conditions event; Only fifth in the Tercentenary at Royal Ascot over 1m2f from the front but that was an exceptional renewal of the race and he looked as if he’d enjoy 1m4f; Should go well.

Excess Knowledge: Always set to improve for step up in trip/extra year being a half-brother to Rain Mac out of 1m4f Listed winner; Did well to win slowly run race on his debut before second in the Washington Singer Stakes (Gosden had won it three times in last seven years) and best forgiven no show in Autumn Stakes; Return in Sandown listed event at 1m2f was greatly encouraging for step up in trip and winner’s form high class for the level, so rightful favourite here.

Havana Beat: Unlucky in 1m5f Group 1 at Newmarket having been short of room at crucial stage, but that a weak race and had been well beaten in two strong events the last twice; Others make more appeal.

Secret Number: Not quite shown his UAE form but much better than UK debut when fourth in Group 1 at Royal Ascot with Elkayyed behind for one and looked as if he’d have enjoyed a step up to 1m4f plenty; Must be high on shortlist if able to be in same form or improved on a line through the second and third.

Spillway: Short of room in King George V Stakes when progressing well (should have enjoyed the step up from 10f on all previous evidence) but hard to think he was going to play big part and others make more appeal.

Testudo: Minor promise on 10f debut at Newbury and built on it when taking Sandown event by a  neck over same trip; Nice Group debut at Newmarket but Feel Like Dancing Just got the better of him; Surprise if he’s not got more to give but wants further than this already.

VERDICT: An intriguing renewal of what’s become a strong St Ledger trial. Excess Knowledge showed great promise on his seasonal return and should take the beating stepped up in trip, but it might pay to back the Tercentenary Stakes form from Royal Ascot with SECRET NUMBER and ELKAYYED, who both ran good races in what was a strong renewal. 

Glorious Goodwood 2013

As much Dermot Weld is seen as the man to be followed around Galway, it’s generally accepted that if you follow Richard Hughes around Goodwood through Glorious week you’ll have a good time and the man on a charge for the title is generally expected to take the leading rider award for the fourth straight year in a row. Famous for riding a record nine winners in 2010, and then five and four in 2011 and 12 respectively, Hughes will be looking to stretch his lead over Championship rival Ryan Moore – who has several strong chances on this first day – and being supplied by Richard Hannon, should get more than enough chances to take another title, chief amongst them Toronado and Sky Lantern in the two feature Group 1 races this week.

His father in Law, Richard Hannon, is 4/7 and a rightful favourite, but Mark Johnston, the only trainer to challenge his dominance, with 8 titles in the last 15 years and at least one winner at each meeting since 2000, is worth a small bet to take the honours at 9/4. Admittedly his chances will come in the fiercely competitive handicaps that litter the week’s racing, but he’s 44-316 over the last 13 festivals (thanks Raceform) and he’s averaging more than a winner a day in July, so form is not a problem and statistically he’s a solid bet. For other contenders in the jockeys race, look to Joe Fanning, who will be getting the best of the Johnston chances all week.

Advice

3 pts Richard Hughes to win top jockey (11/8 Hills, Betfred)

1 pt Mark Johnston to be leading trainer (9/4 Bet365) 

Lennox Stakes 2013

3.05 Goodwood

bet365 Lennox Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £85,065

Advice: 1 pt each/way Professor (9/1 Bet365, 8/1 general)

Aljamaaheer: Talented but can be keen running; Built on promising, albeit slightly disappointing return when beaten a head in listed company (behind Producer, who Is now 4lbs better off reopposing today), when third in Lockinge Stakes and then second in Queen Anne, and took Summer Mile in fine style only 18 days ago; Sets a high standard if the ground stays decent.

Boom and Bust: Won the big mile handicap at this meeting in 2011 (fourth the year after) and since made the step up to pattern company, running respectably since then even if not quite at his best so far this season; Others preferred despite his plum draw.

Caspar Netscher: If here at his peak (off for a year since proving sub-fertile at Stud), then has the form to mount a fine challenge based on his fifth in Deauville Group 1 and Greenham win on reappearance last year; Hard to take that on full trust however.

Fencing: Had proven disappointing in what has been a substandard year for 3yos after promising early start to classic year (sixth in Guineas, albeit poor renewal); Couldn’t ignore how impressive he was on return over a mile at Ascot and good reason to think that he’s better than his Lockinge sixth, but not sure that he wants 7f totally and others make more appeal today despite obvious class.

Krpyton Factor: If able to show his top class best then would have to be given a better chance than his odds suggested and would have to imagine that he’d be shorter had he not run at Newbury latest, where despite disappointing, he looked as if he might have needed an extra furlong; Tricky draw dampens enthusiasm but not ruled out.

Libranno: Has won two of his six group races here and was second in last year’s renewal of this but exposed as below this standard on many occasions. 

Moinesur Chevalier: Once second in the Golden Jubilee but that a long time ago and needs much more.

Pastoral Player: Possibly should have won over 7f at Haydock earlier in the season but much more needed here and not been as good twice since; Can be awkward at the start as well which isn’t going to help him too much here and more needed to make a big impact.

Producer: Took Group 3 over this C&D and reappeared with defeat of Aljamaheer for whom he is much better off (4lbs today), and following that, might not have enjoyed Epsom; Taking winner of Criterion Stakes from Red Jazz lately; Would need more than that to win ehre but everything else seems to be going his way.

Garswood: Impressive Free Handicap winner on return 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, may have been below par that day and fourth in a ell contested Jersey Stakes a promising effort; Can take a hand here for sure.

Professor: Has won five of his eight starts and progressing at a rate of knots, including 6f listed events the past twice in smooth style; Probably has the biggest jump in class to make out of any of the main contenders here but going forward at a rate of knots, likely to be suited by this step up in trop, and great draw all makes him more convincing and worthy of each/way support at least.

VERDICT: A fine running of what’s become a competitive event and a good betting heat as well. Aljamaaheer has a fine form chance and sets a good standard but he won’t like the rain that’s fallen today and he carried a penalty for his recent summer mile to boot, giving Producer a 4lbs turnaround in the weights from his recent win over him at the beginning of the season. Fencing and Garswood both have realistic shouts, as does Krypton Factor if getting over a tricky draw early, but the progressive PROFESSOR makes the most appeal from a plum draw in stall two to keep up his winning streak and take advantage of any shortcomings in the front three. 

Molecomb Stakes 2013

2.35 Goodwood

bet365 Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £28,355

Advice: 1 pt win Reroute (9/2 general)

Ambience: Fourth in the Norfolk Stakes after promising maiden win on second start (debut a write off) and then a Listed winner of Dragon Stakes in smooth style (meets the third on better terms); But well behind in French Group 2 and a length behind Anticipated there when in sixth; Others preferred.

Anticipated: Mere quarter of a length behind Supplicant in Bunch finish to the Windsor Castle stakes and while he was only fifth in Prix Robert Papin, this seems a little easier and drop in trip of half a furlong could suit plenty so will go close.

Brown Sugar: Pulled his chance away in Newmarket Group 2, third of all three runs over 6f; Had previously built on debut promise when winning Newmarket maiden well (30-100 favourite); Far more needed here but step down in trip could help and if settling, better to be seen from him.

Meritocracy: Needs to improve a lot from his midfield finish in Super Sprint to get properly involved here and far more exposed than many here.

Sleeper King: Got the better of Justice Day on second start at Musselburgh in June before creditable run in Windsor Castle at Ascot when eighth, but that gives him a lot of ground to be making up to get involved here.

Supplicant: Followed winning debut in the spring and then minor third at Beverley with close second in Windsor Castle, a giant step up from what he had done previously; If able to improve or repeat that form, then will take some beating given that’s amongst the best form in the field.

Majestic Alexander: Half-brother Majestic Missile won this in 2003 but doesn’t look as useful and behind Ambiance on better terms at Sandown latest; That gives her ground to be making up.

Reroute: Beat the drift to make an impressive winning debut at York, and she ran a solid race in the Queen Mary five days later when fifth on just her second start; Likely that she’s got more to give and can go close here at the least.

 .

VERDICT: Supplicant and Anticipated are likely to be closely matched and well involved once again but REROUTE’S Queen Mary effort on just her second start was a big one and she may have come forward again since, which would give her a solid chance here after a taking debut win despite a big drift. 

Tour De Polgone 2013

With another British cyclist winning the Tour De France in dominant fashion you’d be forgiven for forgetting about Bradley Wiggins in the light of Chris Froome’s glory but his recovery, form, and perhaps future ambitions will all be truly tested in this year’s Tour of Poland.

The 70^th edition of the race has a very different feel to a typical renewal, with the week long stage race made for the top stage racers and one of the most difficult renewals in recent memory. Key to deciding who will win is the opening double header of summit finishes in the Dolomites and then the individual time trial, which will end the race for the first time since 2005, with Friday’s rolling parcours to Bukowins Tatrzanska having the potential to put those on a weak day in trouble.

With the final time trial an undulating one at 37KM, it looks made for a climber to take this year and with a high class field present there are plenty of tempting options. Most of the best climbers in this race come from the Giro D’Italia, which was a particularly brutal renewal this year with such poor weather conditions, which presents a dilemma for those looking to side with the best in the race given the poor performances of Giro riders in the Tour De France this year. However, it would be presumptuous to use that as an issue given that those riders will have started their racing nearly three weeks ago and were facing a much higher calibre of opponents than the given riders here, who should have had enough recovery time to show something close to their best form here.

With that in mind, dominant Magalia Rosa winner Vincenzo Nibali is a must bet at 6/1 with Boylesports. A winner of the Giro by almost four minutes, Nibali was without equal once the race headed for the tougher terrain following a superb time trialling effort on the eighth stage, gaining summit position finishes of 3, 2, 7 and 1 the last being a 17 second win to make sure that he took an open stage of the Giro before winning it.

A superb winner of Tirreno Adriactico before that, there’s nobody amongst the leading contenders that he hasn’t beaten convcingly and the restrictions upon the amount of team members and also the ‘attractively contest’, which I can’t possibly explain any better than ‘The Inner Ring’ does in his Friday Shorts section, may actually suit him, putting the emphasis on the summit finishes which offer time bonuses for the first three home.

Team Sky have anyone of three potential leaders but it’s hard not to imagine Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Uran working for Bradley Wiggins, who himself isn’t a strong enough climber on his own for us to justify backing him – although we certainly can’t work out why Sergio Henao is favourite and would much rather be on Rigoberto Uran, the clear Giro second at prices ranging from 12-14/1.

Tanel Kanget has a big future and will be suited by the parcours but at this moment in time he too may be attached to his team leader. The different nature of the climbs here – long in length, but with a moderate enough incline by professional standards – may bring some in the field closer together, but it also lends itself to higher speed racing and Kangerts doesn’t have a patch on a fit and in form Niabli at this moment in our opinion. Back him for the race and the first stage.

Advice

2 pts each/way Vincenzo Nibali (6/1 Boylesports)

1 pt each/way Vincenzo Nibali for Stage 1 (7/1 Skybet) 

King George Stakes 2013

3.50 Ascot

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Betfair) (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £603,962

Advice: 3 pts win Cirrus Des Aigles ( 13/8 Stan James, 6/4 general), 1 pt win Novelist (13/2 Coral, 6/1 general) 

Ante Post: 2 pts win Cirrus Des Aigles (5/1 Hills, 24th June) 

Cirrus Des Aigles: One of the finest middle distance performers around and has been for last two years, winning 2011 Champions’ Stakes and Dubai Sheema Classic when beating St Nicolas Abbey (only Frankel rated his superior last year after epic battle between the two in Champion Stakes (ground suited Cirrus but still a fine effort); Now 7 but if at his best after traditional pipe opener in Grand Prix De Saint Cloud then no reason to think he’s not in a different league to his rivals at best.

Ektihaam: Only now beginning to fulfil potential he showed in 3yo season, third in high class running of Sandown Group 3 on reappearance for which he promised to improve and duly did when pummelling opposition in Listed race here over C&D from the front; Attempting to do the same and had a handy lead when slipping in the Hardwicke at Royal Meeting;  Jockey that day felt he was on way to winning this a different league to what he faced there.

Novelist: Progressed from his second in German Derby (lost out to a class act who has won open Group 1’s since, went into the race as 4/6 favourite) to land two Group 1’s, including Grand Prix De Saint Cloud latest from Dunaden; Had Cirrus well behind that day, but likely that rival will be much better today; Still worthy of great respect.

Red Cadeux: Finally got the Grade 1 that he deserved last season after years of globetrotting when beating Jaguar Mail in Hong Kong Vase and solid pair of international efforts afterwards but beaten long way in Prince of Wales’s Stakes and this doesn’t augur well for today.

Universal: One of the seasons most consistent improvers, winning John Porter, Jockey Club, and Princes of Wales’s Stakes from the front with tenacity; Very game but beaten in the toughest of those tests, the Hardwicke Stakes, and hard to see him taking this for all he’s proven very hard to pass so far.

Very Nice Name: Rapid improver over the winter in Qatar, completing 5 timer in Listed race before third to St Nicholas Abbey and Gentildonna in the Sheema Classic; If able to repeat that form on first start since late March, then he would have to be taken seriously here, but that comes on trust.

Hillstar: Always been highly rated by those at Freemason Lodge and rewarded that faith in fine style when landing King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Meeting, coming from behind to catch Derby fourth and numerous group placed Battle Of Marengo, although he was the beneficiary of a tired runner up receiving weight; Potential to take big step forward but this a giant leap and may not have as much fall into his lap.

Trading Leather: Smart 2yo (unsuited by ground in Racing Post Trophy) and come on leaps and bounds this season, second in Dante, third in Irish Guineas and comfortable winner of strong Listed event before landing Irish Derby in hard fought style latest; Some of the Epsom horses running there flopped big time which takes the gloss off but may still improve once again and

VERDICT: If CIRRUS DES AIGLES is on top form then he’s in a different league to his rivals and with his comeback under his belt he’s backed to turnaround the tables with NOVELIST from Saint Cloud and gain his much deserved day in the spotlight. The German raider looks to be the best of the rest however, and well worth a saver at 6/1 to cover the eventuality that he should cover the form ahead of Trading Leather, who may still have more to offer for Jim Bolger. 

Ashes 2013 - Third Test (Old Trafford)

It’s only been two tests but already Australia seem to be beaten in the Ashes and England can show just how far the balance of power has changed between these two sides in Test Cricket by taking the first Ashes series with two tests to spare and condemning the Australians to defeat in the first of their two back to back series this year.

England have been widely favoured for this series since the end of the last contest between the sides, but the first test had more than enough drama in it for a whole series and came down to only 16 runs, game that either side could well have won, reminiscent of 2005’s Old Trafford Thriller which was decided by just two runs.

Before the series we were confident that Australia’s bowling would give them the upper hand in at least one test and that they’d be able to take one match against the general flow of play, but defeat there obviously had a big mental blow upon the Australians and may have killed their chances of a series win before the action got going.

While the Australian’s use of the DRS has been much maligned, they got given a fair chance by the system despite Broad’s astonishing letoff and the runs that came from it. Ashton Agar’s amazing survival when stumped on 6 in the first innings, combined with some incredibly wayward bowling from Steven Finn, contributed greatly to his near century – as fine as it was. And Trott’s second innings dismissal, almost as incredulous as Agar’s and Broad’s escape, had the feel of a call that cost England a big innings from their number 3.

Lord’s was much simpler for England, who had a large first innings lead and never even really needed to build on it for as long as they did, with Joe Root’s useful bowling combined with his fine 180 cementing the fine work of Graeme Swann, who has played a bigger part already than expected in the series and must be relishing playing Old Trafford, a ground which has traditionally been a paradise for spinners. Famous for the ‘ball of the century’, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar – who had a stunning test series in India when last seen in the side – both have good memories, with Swann taking a 5-fer along with Shakib Al Hasssan in the last test played there, while Panesar has 25 wickets in just three games so far.

While Australia do have spinners to choose from – Ashton Agar, for all his recent stardom, isn’t as good as Nathan Lyon, whose return to the side would provide a notable boost – we don’t believe those two to be as good as the England pair on all known evidence and as predicted before this series, the main problem has been their batting – Australia scored just two more runs over the whole test than England did in their first innings and have scored 363 less runs over the two tests so far.David Warner may return to the side but on all evidence he’s got the same technical problems as Shane Watson, while Ed Cowan, Phill Huges and Chris Rodgers have all been shown up on regular occasions in the four innings so far. Some of England’s batsmen have also had poor series but the depth between the two is being shown and Australia have won just one of their last eight tests against England. Considering all these factors, home advantage, and England’s cracking home record, the shade of odds on offered against England is the clear and outstanding bet for the third test.

Advice

8 pts England (evs Bet365)

Hungarian Grand Prix 2013

With four wins this season, including the last Grand Prix at the Nurburing, one could forgive punters for backing Sebastian Vettel to stretch his Championship lead yet further from his 35 point winning margin, but never at one point has he looked more vulnerable this season and the Lotus double team of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean can take revenge in the scoring heat of Hungary this weekend.

With fierce track heat, Lotus should feel confident about another bold showing
this weekend 

At the Nubruring three weeks ago Grosjean was actually best placed to take the win over the Red Bull but a safety car bought the field back together on lap 21, right when he was putting the pedal to the medal, and bought teammate and number 1 Kimi Raikkonen back into the equation, leading Lotus to put Grosjean under orders and reject the idea of a long third stint. That, and the poorly times positional switch late on, allowed Vettel to take victory by a hair’s breadth but in the same conditions this week, all being well, I can’t fathom why anyone would back the world champion at 6/4 compared to the 11/2 available for Raikkonen and the 18/1 for Grosjean with William Hill.

It’s halfway through the season and we’re still on the tetchy subject of tyre wear for many, which has become the main talking point of the season and looks likely to be the defining topic of this campaign. Pirelli’s softer compounds have gained a reputation for being just that – soft – and tyre wear is a huge factor and in many cases, the difference between victory and defeat now on raceday. The hotter the track, the more the tyres will blister and those who can extend their stints can make huge gains. With a European summer hotter than many in recent years, while we think we’ve got it hot in Britain, some weather forecasters are predicting temperatures to peak at 40C on Sunday, with track temperatures hovering around 50C, truly blistering temperatures even by hot day standards. Pirelli had planned to use the medium and hard compounds only, but the blowouts at Silverstone and a much needed investigation following that has seen Pirelli gain permission to return to it’s 2012 configuration, which allows them to use the soft and super soft compounds.

We already know that Lotus excel at saving their tyres, and in the heat they seem to find a new level of performance and their qualifying performance three weeks ago was their best since Spain in May last year, with both cars just half a second off Hamilton’s pole position. The rarely used track in Hungary can be difficult for overtaking with the racing line much more important than elsewhere, but it sounds as if Lotus can be hopeful of a strong guide position and even then the length of their stints will give them a natural advantage in what was already a quick car.

Raikkonen has 5 podiums from 9 races this season and is a solid bet for a top three step again, while Grosjean is 4/1 in the same market and they look like value, with our normal banker of the weekend – the double points finish – far too short.

Lewis Hamilton’s three wins (a record bettered only by the four of Michael Schumacher) make him an eyecather here, but his tyres have given out on several occasions on racedays and those who ant to support him should back him for a hat trick of pole positions at Paddy Power’s 9/4.

Advice

1 pt Kimi Raikkonen (11/2 Hills, Sportingbet)

1 pt each/way Romain Grosjean (18/1 Hills)

4 pts Kimi Raikkonen for podium finish (evs Ladbrokes)

1 pt Romain Grosjean podium finish (4/1 Paddy Power, Ladbrokes) 

Irish Oaks 2013

6.15 Curragh

Darley Irish Oaks (Group 1) (3yo)

Winner: €232,000 Runners: 8 Distance: 1m4f Going: Good To Firm

Advice: 1 pt win Chicquita (11/2 Bet Victor, Ladbrokes), Venus De Milo (15/2 Boylesports)

 

Alive Alive Oh: Only the one start at two but with that, promise as she was third to subsequent classic winner Magician, and built on that tenfold with exacting start to classic season, getting off the mark readily at Cork in March on testing ground before really routing the opposition in Listed event at Navan; Looked well upto this level but not seen since then on account of ground in Ribblesdale and being in season for Pretty Polly; Respected here even if ground a question.

Chicquita: Promising debut on only two year old start and set to win impressively (would have reversed form with her conqueror on debut) but for clipping heels on seasonal return at Saint Cloud; Then belied odds when second in French Oaks, proving to be a rather awkward ride but snatching second close to the line from quality field; This step up in trip must suit and fine form chance today while Johnny Murtagh likely to get on well with her.

Just Pretending: Won Irish 1,000 Guineas trial and then third in the actual event, sticking on well for third late on; Seemed to handle trip just fine when second in Ribblesdale to Riposte but outsped and outstayed and don’t expect to see her doing any better here.

Magical Dream: Would appear to be only the third string for Ballydoyle today but reason to think she can get closer to Alive Alive Oh on 3lbs better terms with a stronger gallop and faster ground, and just edged out by Midnight Soprano when stepped up to this trip at Cork for first time; Could outrun odds.

Riposte: Rapidly progressive, benefitting from debut experience and step up in trip to land 1m4f Newmarket maiden in fine style before stepping up again when most taking winner of Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, providing fine sentimental moment for Lady Cecil while also suggesting that she was worth try at Group 1 level when beating Just Pretending in style; Should go well here.

Scintuilla: Having only her second start when runner-up to Sky Lantern in the Moyglare but not quite lived upto same heights since and this step up in trip and class is a big one after her fourth in Listed event at the Curragh latest.

 

Talent: Always likely to improve with stepping up in trip and huge promise in Listed Newmarket win on return given how keen she was, and duly fulfilled that promise with clear cut Oaks win, benefitting from strong early pace to come through and win very handily in the end despite keenness and not looking like she was in love with the track; Obvious potential to do better still and greatly respected here given race may suit well once again.

Venus De Milo: Plenty of support for her before beating favourite on debut at Fairyhouse (1m4f), getting there readily, but much more impressive when coping with drop in trip to land 1m2f Listed event in nick of time, coming easily widest of them into home straight despite not having the clearest of runs either (had to be switched); This obviously a different level but return back to 1m4f sure to suit her and bring out a lot more improvement.

VERDICT: A quality renewal bringing together the English and French formlines with unexposed contenders a plenty. Talent’s impressive Oaks success and Riposte’s Ribbesdale win entitle them to lead the market, but CHIQUITA’S French Oaks second is arguably as strong from a forline perspective and the improvement that is possible for stepping up in trip makes her arguably the most exciting prospect here, so she’s given the vote on the basis that Johnny Murtagh can get the best out of her. Next best is VENUS DE MILO, who won only a small event last time but was so taking in doing so that she can’t be ignored back up to this trip, even ahead of Alive Alive Oh.