Horse Racing
Season
King's Stand Stakes - Form Comments

18/06/2018 14:33

G1 – 1000m – Turf

1 Battaash A top class trailblazer who won last year’s G1 Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp easily and just beat Washington DC on return from 237 day absence in G2 Temple Stakes, both races over 1000m. Very speedy.
2 Blue Point Consistently good record in Group races but all five wins over 1200m and only raced once over 1000m. The certain fast pace will suit and should be closing at finish.
3 Bucchero US challenger won G2 at Keeneland and fourth in G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint over 1000m last year, both on turf. Run respectably in Group races this year. Hard to assess but tough task.
4 Finsbury Square Fifth in 2017 G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes over 1200m at Royal Ascot. Recently moved to M Delcher Sanchez, whose Equiano won King’s Stand in 2008. Won G2 over 1000m on first run for him. Interesting longshot.
5 Gifted Master Ran twice over 1000m as a two-year-old but not since and has won a G3 over 1600m. Even if copes with the distance he is unlikely to be good enough.
6 Kachy Five-year-old has not won above G3 level but second in G1 Commonwealth Cup over 1200m at Royal Ascot 2016. Beaten neck when third to Battaash over 1000m in G2 Temple Stakes last month. 5lb worse off at weights with him.
7 Ornate Won three minor races from 26 attempts. His form, including this year, is not up to this standard.
8 Primo Uomo Raced mainly over 1000m. Won Listed race at Navan in April and some good pieces of form but this six-year-old is biting off more than he can chew.
9 Washington DC May be best of Aidan O’Brien’s squad. Just beaten by Battaash in G2 Temple Stakes. That was his third run this year, he is 5lb worse off with Battaash and is second more often than wins.
10 Lady Aurelia Trained by Wesley Ward in USA, invariably fast away. Twice a winner at Royal Ascot, the G2 Queen Mary Stakes as a two-year-old then this race last year. If in same form will be hard to beat.
11 Mabs Cross A likeable filly, progressive under patient handling by trainer Michael Dods. Won G3 Palace House Stakes over 1000m last month before finishing less than a length behind Bataash in G2 Temple Stakes. A definite chance. 
12 Battle Of Jericho Three-year-old respected as a member of the Aidan O’Brien squad but will have to show a lot of improvement to feature in the finish.
13 Declarationofpeace Another O’Brien team member. Won at Listed level last year when ran respectably in G1 races but finished last in Listed race on reappearance as three-year-old last month. Too much to ask.
14 Different League Trained in France as two-year-old, when won G3 at Royal Ascot and two creditable placings in G1 events. Has been disappointing this year – beaten favourite in all three races. A lot more needed.