G2 – 2831m – Turf
1 | Almoghared | Has stamina in his pedigree and also the way he finished off his race when staying on strongly to win a fast-ground novice over 2400m at Chepstow in May suggests that this longer distance could bring improvement. It will be needed for this G2. |
2 | Drapers Guild | Improving lately and, after a maiden win on the Dundalk all-weather, he moved up to Listed company and 2600m, briefly looking like upsetting hot favourite and today’s rival Southern France. That colt ultimately won with a bit in hand, however. |
3 | Dubai Empire | Will need to step up massively on his last start when a toiling last of four at Leicester. His better previous runs came on a slow surface but he is most unlikely to get that here. |
4 | Jeremiah | His figures suggest gradual race-by-race improvement. And despite pedigree concerns he looked to stay a distance slightly further than this when runner-up in a soft ground handicap at Doncaster earlier this month. May struggle at this level. |
5 | Kew Gardens | Started hot favourite for the Lingfield Derby trial but could not peg back Knight To Behold, neither horse shining in the Derby itself. Now moves up in distance. His stable have a great record in this but he does not look their strongest candidate. |
6 | King’s Proctor | His stable have a good record in this. He has been running quite well in handicaps and Listed company lately without managing a win, leading from the start in a Newbury handicap over 2200m last time – holding on for second. Up in trip. |
7 | Lynwood Gold | Has improved on all three starts this season as he has moved up in distance. Latterly he ran a good third in a quite strong handicap at Doncaster when giving weight to most of his rivals. No stamina worries but may not be quite good enough. |
8 | Nelson | Purely on ratings he has an excellent chance here. The winner of two G3’s and a narrow second in a G2 though disappointing last time. A prominent racer, it all depends as to whether he handles this longer trip. Some hopes on pedigree. |
9 | Southern France | Has progressed nicely on all three starts, most recently moving up to 2600m to narrowly win a Navan Listed race and, though some of his rivals were modestly rated, he looks like a colt who only does just as much as he needs to. Chance. |
10 | Sovereign Duke | Won a minor event on the all-weather in January, on his second career start. Moving into G3 company at Sandown in April, he ran quite well without making an impact. Connections will hope this sharp rise in trip will make him competitive. |
11 | Stream Of Stars | Gelded early, he has looked good in both starts so far especially when winning a good maiden on quick ground here at Ascot last month. Strong at the finish then, he moves up in distance and it could easily suit him nicely. |
12 | Yabass | Might try and lead here, tactics that saw him finish second in a handicap on the all-weather at Chelmsford last month, proving then that he could last this distance. However he disappointed in a Listed event at Navan more recently. |