G2 – 1351m – Turf
1 | Aguri | This Japanese-trained speedster narrowly won a valuable 1400m G3 at Hanshin at around this time last year. Couldn’t justify favouritism but still a fine second of 18 at Kyoto last month. |
2 | Annaf | A five-time winner in a busy and rewarding 2023, the highlight being when swooping to win a 1200m G3 prize at Ascot. A very encouraging prep for this at Lingfield this month. |
3 | Art Power | Though reaching the veteran stage he delivered one of the best performances of his 31-race career when landing a shock 40-1 victory in a G1 at Ascot last October. Chance if at the top of his game again. |
4 | Bathrat Leon | A versatile performer – successful on turf and dirt – and effective over this trip and further. Seems best when gunning from the front, tactics that saw him win this race last year. |
5 | Byline | Just a fair handicapper when UK trained but has proved formidable in Bahrain, his latest win in a local G2. May struggle against much stronger opposition here. |
6 | Cold Front | Only managed a maiden win when trained in the UK. Looks outclassed. |
7 | Dr Zempf | Looked best at around this distance when trained in Ireland, winning at a G3 level. Faced some tough assignments when moving to the US. Looks vulnerable. |
8 | Jumby | Became disappointing later last season and has been gelded. But can be very effective at around this trip as he showed when winning a fast-ground G3 at Haydock in June. |
9 | King Gold | Should be sharper for a run at Meydan recently and showed his capabilities when surging from the back to win a 1300m G1 at Deauville last August. Best on good or softer ground. |
10 | Mysterious Night | Arrives here fresh from two impressive 1400m victories at Meydan, latterly when quickening stylishly to win a G2. Chances as he looks to be really thriving now. |
11 | Raaed | Versatile and a strong finisher, his late surge resulting in a third place in this last year. Not an obvious winner but his experience at this track is an advantage. |
12 | Win Greatest | First start outside of Japan and, though sometimes running modestly, can also post some high-class efforts and he defeated a big field of rivals in a G2 at Kyoto last October. |
13 | La La Christine | In top form at around this time last year, winning a G3 at Hanshin, and getting to within a neck of landing an 18-runner G2 at Kyoto in October. This looks her ideal trip. |
14 | Matilda Picotte | An improver who achieved career best runs on her last two starts blasting off from the front to win a G3 at Doncaster and a G2 at Newmarket. Best chance if able to grab an early lead. |