13:50 – 1m6f – Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+)
Staying handicappers here, many of whom are quite exposed.
You can’t say that about #10 VALEDICTORY, however, as he comes here for just his eighth start. He has improved plenty for being gelded and the addition of cheekpieces, while he also seems to have really come into his own since up to this distance, winning both starts over this 14 furlong trip. He was a winner over course and distance two back before following up at Newmarket last time out, quickening up extremely well off steady fractions and really seeing his race out strongly, well on top at the line. He’s only 3lb higher here and I think he’s got a great chance.
The form of #4 HOPEWELL ROCK’s penultimate run looks strong and it was no surprise to see him sent off favourite for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes are Royal Ascot. He was only able to finish sixth there having seemingly come to hold every chance and his weak final furlong would concern me stepping up in trip here, even with Ryan Moore booked.
#7 AERONAUTIC’s form ties in with #4 HOPEWELL ROCK on a line through Daiquiri Bay. #7 AERONAUTIC finished a couple of lengths behind that rival in the Copper Horse Stakes, but that was his first race since February and a big run can be expected from this horse, who was beaten just 0.75 lengths off 1lb lower in this race last year.
#9 SING US A SONG should be well positioned from stall 4. He maybe wants slower ground or a little further, but he was galloping out well over this trip at Royal Ascot and ran a good figure there.
14:25 – 1m4f – Coral Glorious Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)
#7 OPPORTUNITY was gelded over the winter and has finally started to show what he’s all about. He was an easy winner at Carlisle two back and stepped up significantly again on his most recent start at Royal Ascot, slicing through on the inside and pulling away to win convincingly. The time was quick and his yard has dominated this race in recent years, so it’ll be no surprise if he makes a big impact at Stakes level here, although this will be a different type of test to last time.
His main threat seems to be stablemate #1 AL AASY, who has won this race the last two years. This admirable 9-year-old didn’t appear to have lost any speed when bolting up in Listed company last time out. He is perhaps vulnerable to an improver like #7 OPPORTUNITY, but these conditions are absolutely optimal for him and he may still have enough class and pace to see that rival off.
There’s a little bit of depth to this race. #3 GHOSTWRITER was a genuine Group 1 horse a couple of years ago but he’s clearly had problems and I didn’t think he showed an awful lot at Royal Ascot last time out, albeit off a layoff. He’ll have to take a big step forward from that to figure here.
Perhaps more interesting is #8 IN MY TEENS. She plied her trade over hurdles this winter and that may have been the making of her as she’s returned to the flat in superb form, shaping nicely two back and absolutely bolting up off a mark of 96 last time out. It’s rare that you see good Irish handicaps won by such margins and this girl should be up to this Group 3 level on that form, and may be capable of going higher still.
15:00 – 1m6f – Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Some high class distaffers in this staying contest which sees last year’s 1-2 reoppose. #6 WAARDAH got the better of things that day, showing a good turn of foot despite hanging down the track. She disappointed me a little at Ascot when I thought she’d run well but bounced back on her seasonal debut when chasing home the brilliant Estrange – a Group 1 winner since – at Carlisle. She’s not been seen since and looks to have been laid out for this by her excellent trainer, so should go close if she’s in the same form as she also strikes me as the type to be a better 4-year-old. My only worry for her would be the ground, which will be the fastest she’s encountered and may not be ideal running downhill.
#3 DANIELLE came up just short in this last year but finished ahead of #6 WAARDAH at Ascot next time out before bolting up in a Listed race at Doncaster on her final start, running a very big figure. She landed short odds in a Group 3 at York last time out, showing a fine attitude, and this really likeable girl should be able to get a perfect trip around from stall 2. She’d probably want the ground a shade slower, too, but I think she’ll cope with this and she has a fine chance on ratings and form.
She had finished behind a pair of these rivals in the Park Hill at Doncaster last September and that looks a key formline. #1 SANTORINI STAR was a game winner of that contest, beating #2 CONSENT in game fashion having looked sure to be passed by that rival a furlong out.
The pair reopposed in the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu next time out, but this time #2 CONSENT came out on top, winning impressively by a wide margin on soft ground.
#1 SANTORINI STAR has had three runs this year, beating the boys on seasonal debut at Newmarket before going down by just a neck to Caballo De Mar in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier. She bombed out badly in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot having made an early, wide move, while it’s possible she also resented the cheekpieces that day. She should bounce back but a 3lb penalty will make life tough.
Her old rival #2 CONSENT also needs to prove herself, having failed to beat a rival in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier. She’d have a good chance if you knew she was back in form.
#7 AMELIA EARHART looked a potential superstar earlier in the season but she’s not run to form in the English and Irish Oaks on her last two starts and has plenty to prove now.
#4 GOODIE TWO SHOES ran well in this last season to finish third, albeit well held, before running a superb race to placed second in the Melbourne Cup. She’s been bought along steadily this season and I think she might be the type to relish getting on some fast going for the first time. She’s going to get a lovely pitch in stall 1 and I can see her running a huge race.
#5 LITTLE DORRIT has a bit to find here but shapes as though she is ready for this distance now and could get a nice sit on the outside which should let her have first crack at the leader.
15:35 – 6f – Coral Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+)
A highly competitive sprint where the wind may have an impact again. Predictions suggest it may be a headwind come race time and that would suit hold up performers. The Wokingham form might be key.
#6 SONDAD can be held up and should get plenty of cover from stall 21 should they wish. He finished ahead of #25 DARK THIRTY at the Curragh last time but UK raiders typically have an edge in those contests and he now has to race against better handicapped rivals off 6lb higher. He is in fine fettle, however, and should enjoy this track having won twice at Epsom.
#17 FAR ABOVE DREAM finished in front of #6 SONDAD in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot and recorded two course wins earlier in the year. He’s on the same mark as last time out and will enjoy returning to this sharper track, so must have a huge chance with a hold up ride assured.
#26 EVENING SAIGON wasn’t far behind #17 FAR ABOVE DREAM here two back and was only three places behind in the Wokingham too. He’s several times the price of that rival but stall 10 might not be as good a draw as his old rival has and he may be closer to what is likely to be a furious pace.
#1 SOLDIER’S TREE carries topweight. This stablemate of #17 FAR ABOVE DREAM finished one place in from of that rival in the Wokingham and ran very well in Group company last time out to finish third. He’s got a good 5lb bug rider on who should help counteract some of the weight he is due to carry.
#4 MITHBAAHY finished just behind #1 SOLDIER’S TREE and #17 FAR ABOVE DREAM in the Wokingham but was off a short break there and reversed the form with the former in the Hackwood Stakes last time out. He looks to have hit his best stride now and has dropped to a very fair mark, while he’s been handed an excellent draw and has a confirmed hold up jockey aboard. A huge run looks assured.
#10 COMPLETELY RANDOM did best of these in the Wokingham and I don’t think he really enjoyed moving up to seven furlongs last time out. He’s still on a decent mark but this track might be sharp enough for him.
Conversely, #19 REALIGN, who was eighth in the Wokingham, looks very much like he’ll enjoy this sharper six having made a strong move into contention last time out.
#13 STRATUSNINE looked the winner every step of the way last time out and looks ahead of his mark, although I think he will be close to the speed which may be a negative here.
#9 GET IT won this in 2024 and landed the Wokingham last year. He’s not beaten a rival in three runs since but will be able to bag the nearside rail and is reported to be working well.
#12 TUCO SALAMANCA should get an efficient ride but his best form has come on synthetics.
#8 TWO TRIBES was an easy winner of this last year. He’s 9lbs higher now but is 1lb lower than when just touched off in a hot handicap at York next time out and shaped as though he was very much back to his best last time out. He must have a huge chance of repeating.
16:10 – 7f – Phase Eight Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-105)
Improving 3-year-olds in this competitive handicap. A low draw has proven an edge in this over the years.
#3 WE’RE GOOSERS gets a lovely stall in 2. He looked highly progressive when bolting up two back at Chester but bombed out badly having been gambled in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out over a mile. He’s been swiftly gelded and it’s very interesting to me that Oisin Murphy keeps the ride. He’ll love getting back to seven furlongs at a turning track and has a ton of upside still.
So, too, does #7 NAVAL LIGHT. He finally got off the mark two back and proved that an opening mark of 83 underestimated him with a cosy win at Catterick last time out. He only beat three rivals that day, two of which were exposed Northern handicappers, but the performance looked good on all the time metrics and I think he’ll do better off a stronger pace here.
#1 WILD DESERT is a really eye-catching runner. He’s rated 105 by virtue of his second place finish in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes – a race he really should have won – and really you’d have been expecting him to be contesting Group races this season. He’s clearly had problems, however, as he only returned earlier this month and didn’t run particularly well, beating just one rival home in a Listed race at Newmarket. He’s got a bit to prove now but he is the class in the race.
#11 MARENGO STORM looks a bit underestimated by the betting. He only won a small field race last time out, but so too did #7 NAVAL LIGHT, and I’d argue the form of #11 MARENGO STORM’s win is better. It also looks very good on the clock, with a good speedfigure and strong gallop out, and he’s got the prime spot in stall 1. It’s a shame about the jockey, however, and first-time cheekpieces are another variable, although he looked idle in front last time so they may well suit.
#12 START ME UP got messed around out of the gates last time and found his run flattening late over an extended seven furlongs at Chester. He gets a top jockey up and won’t mind the return to this easy seven furlongs, as speed is his forte.
#6 EGOLI seemed to improve for this trip at Doncaster last time, winning by a nose in a fast time. He did well to quicken up there off a steady pace with a tailwind and I don’t think a 2lb rise is harsh for that at all.
Similar comments apply to #8 IRONWILL, but stall 10 will make life difficult for this keen going sort. He had #9 PROUD NATION behind last time, but he’s drawn wider still in 13 here and the yard are in terrible form.
#10 STARTLED ran really well here two back but was too keen last time out. He’s got a poor draw and I’m not sure he’ll be an easy ride for his 5lb bug rider.
16:45 – 7f -British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Colts And Geldings Only) (Class 2) (2yo)
Not a bad little Maiden.
#1 AL WATHBA sets a fair standard here. He was a little weak in the betting on debut but shaped with real promise, running on well under tender handling. The third has come out and won since, while the winner, Haffner, was just touched off in Stakes company here earlier in the week. He should be a tough nut to crack here with plenty of improvement to come.
The market has #3 CHARTED COURSE as the main danger but his debut run was pretty mediocre for me, and I don’t think he achieved that much despite finishing tenth in a Listed race at Royal Ascot next time out. He should enjoy this trip, however, and is well drawn.
#14 SPEAKERS CORNER has not been lucky with the draw, but it’s less important in a race of this type where many of the field will be getting educational rides. This son of Wootton Bassett was well supported on debut but raced greenly for most of the contest prior to finishing fourth. I think the penny was beginning to drop late that day, however, and I can see him taking quite a big step forward – looks a danger to the favourite.
#6 LEADLIGHT is another Irish raider who shaped well on debut. He looks more of a stayer and a long-term project, but clearly has a lot of ability if he can get a position from stall 12.
#8 MARKET LEADER proved well-named, being sent off at odds-on for his debut at Windsor earlier in the month prior to finishing third. He didn’t run anywhere near the level of some of his rivals today there, but was extremely green and can be expected to improve a bundle.
#10 REGENCY ROYAL looks another who should improve for his first run, particularly given this distance should suit.
#9 RAFE’S DA MAN’s yard are having a good week with their juveniles and this colt has been brought along steadily, improving with each run. His latest effort was another big step forward and he should get a lovely run around from stall 2. He’s more exposed than many of these rivals but that experience may stand him in good stead.
17:20 – 1m1f – Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-95)
It could pay to focus on the unexposed sorts here. There doesn’t seem to be much of an edge in the draw.
#12 CREST OF FIRE jumps off the page. He’s with an excellent yard for this type of contest and his form got a huge boost when Ciarrai Abu won here on Thursday. His first furlong will be important but he’s ready to win a race of this nature if he gets a good trip.
He finished behind #16 BLUE COURVOISIER at Carlisle three back and that rival finished in front of him again in the Britannia Stakes, although they were both well beaten ultimately. #16 BLUE COURVOISIER looks like he should get a nice run around here from stall 6 and the drop into this class is a big plus for him.
Of the older horses, #18 THUNDER WONDER must be of some interest. He has dropped to a very fair mark now and caught the eye last time out when running a huge race against the flow. He gets a big jockey upgrade and can take advantage of a low draw if he breaks better for a yard that has had winners here this week.
#10 POINT OF CONTACT proved disappointing last time out at Sandown but this is more his level and he ran very well at this meeting last year. I think he’s better in a big field and he could bounce back under Oisin Murphy, as he’s still lightly-raced enough to progress.
#6 AMMES ran a fine race at this meeting last year and has been catching the eye recently running better than his finishing position in hot races. He’s in calmer waters here and he has claims of at placing at least if he can get a good pitch from stall 15.
#5 EL MATADOR’s yard are not having a good week but he caught the eye running on late at Newcastle last time, doing the best of those that were held up. I can see him finishing strongly down the middle if they go a good pace.
