1600m – Turf
1 | Sun Power | One win in 2019 but went close on several other occasions. Gelded since, he failed to quicken enough when 4th on his return, at Lingfield. |
2 | Verboten | An attempt at G1 company didn’t work out on his second career start but the way he was finishing on his 2020 return at Lingfield suggests plenty of upside. |
3 | Cherokee Trail | Won his first two races and disappointed in the next two. Faded at the end over 2000m last time so the drop in trip may help. |
4 | Toro Strike | Not guaranteed to thrive at this longer trip. Made gradual progress throughout 2019, coming close to a big money winning strike in a ‘Sales’ race at Doncaster. |
5 | Starcat | Making just his second appearance, finished a very respectable 7th in the G1 2,000 Guineas this month. Could be very well handicapped and stable have won this before. |
6 | Khaloosy | Two promising runs out of two last year, especially when accelerating clear of his rivals at Wolverhampton. No trip worry. |
7 | Kondratiev Wave | Stamina in his pedigree despite his two wins coming over much shorter. Nearly pulled off a shock win, only caught in the last stride at Lingfield this month. |
8 | Glasvegas | Twice a winner at two, and then gelded. He faded right out, finishing last on his return. Very hard to fancy. |
9 | Shared Belief | Competed in some hot company last year after winning at Sandown on his debut. Gelded since last ran. May prefer a slow surface. |
10 | Johan | Well backed to win a handicap over Newbury’s straight 1600m on his 2020 return and it happened after a powerful late surge under today’s jockey. |
11 | Path Of Thunder | An expensive purchase, he is quirky but talented, winning his last two starts in 2019, latterly when a well-backed favourite at Newmarket. |
12 | Ziggle Pops | Arrives here fresh off a victory on his first start for 267 days. He quickened up well in that Lingfield handicap despite racing too freely early. |
13 | Dubai Mirage | Ran to a good level at two, and easily justified hot favouritism in a Kempton maiden over this distance last week. |
14 | He’s A Keeper | No worries with this trip, already winning over it at Haydock as a two-year-old. Made a fair 2020 return at Newcastle. |
15 | Dance Fever | Improved race by race in 2019, winning all three starts latterly on his handicap debut at Kempton. Has thrived over the winter says his trainer. |
16 | Harrison Point | Having his first start on turf, but bred for it. Has won two of his four starts and was a very close 5th in a French Listed race. Possibilities. |
17 | Grove Ferry | Won two of his three starts last year, and, after being gelded, returned with an encouraging 3rd at Lingfield. Bred to last this longer trip. |
18 | Eshaasy | Most of today’s rivals have competed in 2020 but he hasn’t been seen since a poor effort last October. From the top stable but improvement needed. |
19 | Enemy | Won here on his only start last season. Outpaced at a crucial stage when a beaten favourite on his return, but still a good run and this extra trip will help. |
20 | World Title | The figures in 2019 suggest race by race improvement and he led from gate to wire to win two 1600m Ripon handicaps on his last two starts. |
21 | Great Ambassador | Stable have been in great form and pedigree positive for first attempt at 1600m. An impressive winner in a first-time tongue-tie last November. |
22 | Finest Sound | The 5lb penalty might look lenient considering how impressive he was when thrashing his eight rivals in a Haydock handicap this month. |
23 | All You Wish | Looked quite good when winning at Kempton at two. But put up a modest show when returning to action this month. |
24 | Amaysmont | Will probably struggle here having raced too keenly on his 2020 return at Lingfield this month. |
Reserve | ||
Overwrite | Outclassed weak rivals from the front on his final 2019 start. Outpaced on his return but that was a decent effort and 1600m could help. | |
Ayr Harbour | All starts so far have been on the all-weather including two handicap wins. A solid 2nd to a well handicapped winner at Newcastle recently. | |
Establish | An eyecatcher on his 2020 return when – despite missing the break and being hampered – he ran a close 3rd at Lingfield. |