1000m – Turf
1 | Toca Madera | From a stable who have had a big-priced winner in Royal Ascot. Placed in 1200m G2s at Newmarket and Goodwood last year. Tricky on his first start for 323 days. |
2 | Sommelier | Probably ran the best race of his career when only outspeeded by G1-winning Big Evs in a 1000m Listed event at York last month. |
3 | Woodhay Wonder | On a winning roll, having landed her last four starts latterly in a fast-ground Newmarket handicap. Up 5lb for that and down to 1000m for the first time. |
4 | Got To Love A Grey | Put up a good show in a G2 over this course and distance a year ago. Shaping quite well this year, including landing a 1100m Listed event at Chantilly. Handicap debut. |
5 | Symbology | Will need to improve significantly on her two 2024 starts – including when sixth in Listed at Sandown last Saturday – if she is to have a chance here. |
6 | Jubilee Walk | In great shape this season, winning at Kempton and then – dropping to this trip for the first time – winning a handicap convincingly at York. Belongs on the shortlist. |
7 | Majestic Beauty | Fast from the gates and only narrowly beaten in a handicap at the Curragh earlier in June. That looked a career-best run, so positive for this challenge. |
8 | Dark Vintage | Formerly trained in California where he had winning form over this speedsters’ trip. Looks to be coming into his own here, judged by a strong-finishing third at York. |
9 | Brave Empire | This very expensive purchase was twice a winner on turf last year though all three runs this year – including a Lingfield victory – have been on the all-weather. |
10 | Matters Most | More familiar at around 1200m, but this demanding 1000m will be fine. Put in a brave performance – on his first start since being gelded – when a close second at Windsor. |
11 | Tazara | A French-trained filly who won a heavy ground 1200m maiden at Deauville in April. Upped in grade she then ran an encouraging second in Listed company at Chelmsford. |
12 | Blue Storm | Delivered a personal best when notching a third sprint victory from nine starts at Epsom’s downhill track this month, finishing ahead of 18 rivals that day. Ascot debut. |
13 | Shagraan | Two solid efforts since been gelded and moving to this stable. Most recently he led in a 1200m Newmarket handicap, just fading into third near the end. |
14 | Pilgrim | Pulverised his rivals with a runaway 5.5L victory over nine rivals in a sprint handicap at Musselburgh early this month. The handicapper reacted by hiking him 11lb. |
15 | Mukaafah | Drops to this trip for the first time but Ascot’s 1000m requires plenty of stamina. Most recently he led throughout to win a fast-ground handicap at Doncaster. |
16 | Scorchio | Has made clear improvement from her 2yo days judged by her 28-1 win in a 1000m Cork handicap in May. That form has been boosted with the second winning since. |
17 | Two Tribes | A consistent speedster who is yet to finish out of the first four in his seven starts. Newly gelded, and only beaten by a race-fitter rival at Newmarket last month. |
18 | Mon Na Slieve | A front-running York winner on his career debut last year. Some solid efforts in stronger company since though without really improving on that initial run. |
19 | Airman | Lots of speed on his first two starts, latterly when led despite slow start to win over this trip at Hamilton. In a handicap now after struggling in a 1200m G2 last time. |
20 | Dyrholaey | From the stable that won this last year, he is unbeaten in three starts and, though they were all on an all-weather surface, he is certainly bred to do well on turf. |
21 | Dorney Lake | Has won both 2024 starts decisively – in maiden and novice company. Down to 1000m for this handicap debut but that should be fine for this speedily-bred colt. |
22 | Hedge Fund | Ran a dismal race on his latest start with no obvious explanation. Much better in handicap sprints at Bath and Sandown earlier this season. |
23 | No Half Measures | Three consecutive sprinting victories included on her handicap debut at Goodwood. Not beaten far in Listed company after a troubled passage at Sandown last Saturday. |
24 | Thunder Blue | Gelded and having his first start for this stable. Didn’t make a big impression in two starts at Meydan earlier this year. |
25 | Billy Webster | Ran a respectable seventh in a handicap over Epsom’s very fast 1000m on his latest start. Seems best suited by a slow turf surface. |
26 | Moswaat | Drops to 1000m for the first time in his career, having run out of steam in the closing stages on his last two starts. Crack Irish rider Colin Keane booked. |
27 | Vantheman | From a stable in good form and he has improved since dropped to this pure speed trip, winning at Newcastle and then second of 17 at York. |
28 | Markakol | Yet to win from four attempts on turf, though showed some smart speed a few times. Didn’t look an easy ride when a beaten odds-on favourite at Newcastle. |
Reserves | ||
29 | Kendall Roy | Has won sprint handicaps on three of his four 2024 starts, with a prominent racing style each time. Faces a tougher challenge here but his attitude is commendable. |
30 | Myconian | Twice a 2yo winner including in Listed sprint company at Deauville. Hasn’t made a big impact in any of his five starts this year. |
31 | Completely Random | Involved in a sustained battle with another rival over 1200m at Newmarket last month, only losing out by a neck but clear of the third. Drops to 1000m but bred for speed. |