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.