1 |
Another Batt |
On his first start for a new stable he romped to a 5L success in a novices' event at Ripon earlier this month. He is clearly pretty fast and the fact that connections wanted to book red-hot Silvestre de Sousa for this is interesting. |
2 |
Areen Faisal |
From a stable packed with quality two-year-olds but neither of Areen Faisal's two starts so far suggest that he will be up to this task. |
3 |
Autumn Lodge |
Has been placed in three of his four starts though either they have been weak events or he has been well beaten by the winner, or both. |
4 |
Black Orange |
The winner of a small event over this distance on his penultimate start and he then almost landed a surprise win in a stronger event at Chester. He's fast from the gates but is likely to be vulnerable in the closing stages. |
5 |
Chatburn |
The winner of a small race on his third attempt but he was then quite easily put in his place, running out of gas in the closing stages of a stronger event. Faster ground will help but it is unlikely he is good enough for this task. |
6 |
City Guest |
Did show some modest improvement in his third and latest start but that was in a weak event on a slow surface. Very unlikely to be involved in the finish. |
7 |
Corinthia Knight |
Gained easy wins on his first two starts, both on an all-weather surface. He started favourite on turf over this course and distance subsequently but couldn't reach a rival who suddenly showed vast improvement. |
8 |
Dahik |
Having shown plenty of promise first time he was then a bitterly disappointing favourite on his second start. Much snappier when winning at Bath earlier this month and, from a very successful Newmarket stable, he can't be ignored. |
9 |
Declarationoflove |
Needs to challenge from off the pace according to his trainer, and those tactics enabled him to charge through and win on fast ground over this distance last month. However second and third that day have both been well beaten since. |
10 |
Declarationofpeace |
From a stable that have won this eight times since 1997. He never had to be put under any pressure to win a 1000m maiden on the all-weather last month by six lengths with the second horse winning since. A major candidate. |
11 |
Dragons Tail |
The easy winner of a 1014m maiden at Chester on his second career start last month. A long-striding colt whose trainer says that he will far prefer galloping uphill at Ascot than Chester's bends, so improvement can be expected. |
12 |
Excellently Poised |
Managed a first-time-out victory back in April, but he was always struggling when reappearing earlier this month and, though the slower ground may have been against him that day, plenty of improvement is needed. |
13 |
James Garfield |
Only made his debut 21 days before this race, having shown some promise in a 1200m maiden at Leicester, starting slowly but was learning his job at the end and he made some late headway. |
14 |
June Dog |
Apparently expected to win on his first start but was very inexperienced. He put that right 21 days ago with a front-running defeat of nine rivals in a Leicester maiden. That was over 1200m, and he's back at 1000m here. |
15 |
Last Page |
From a stable that usually has plenty of two-year-old winners but has been a bit quiet this year. And this gelding has finished second three times, some good efforts though not enough to suggest he has a major chance here. |
16 |
Magnus |
Fought hard to win on rain-softened ground on his third and latest start. However some of his rivals underperformed that day and he does not look to have strong chances here. |
17 |
Mokaatil |
Made a really encouraging start when runner-up over this distance on fast ground at Salisbury last month and the horse who beat him there has won again since. He should improve for that debut and has a very speedy pedigree. |
18 |
Roussel |
His trainer has sent out plenty of two-year-old winners and this colt was another one when he justified favouritism much more easily than the margin of 3/4L would suggest on a slow surface on his debut late last month at Leicester. |
19 |
Simmy's Copshop |
Having won first time out he was taken over to Ireland for a Listed event at Naas, showing plenty of dash to finish a close third, keeping on strongly towards the end despite losing a shoe during the race. |
20 |
Sound And Silence |
Made a winning debut at Newmarket but could not really build on that on his second start in Listed company at Sandown, maybe seeing too much daylight then. He's fitted with cheekpieces for this third start. |
21 |
T For Tango |
A winner of a Naas maiden on his debut and he then also put up a good show in a strong-looking Listed event at the same track. Both those came over 1000m but were on slow ground with his pedigree suggesting that faster conditions will help. |
22 |
Elizabeth Darcy |
Made favourite to win a firm-ground maiden over 1000m at US track Indiana Grand on her debut last month, and, getting stronger as the race went on, she beat her five rivals by 7 3/4L and upwards. She is clearly very fast. |
23 |
Marchingontogether |
Despite coming under early pressure, she won a 1000m maiden at Leicester on fast ground on her only start. A good effort though the second and third that day have both been beaten since. |
24 |
Nootka Sound |
Won at Keeneland - so often used by her US trainer - prior to his Royal Ascot raids. She disputed the lead in that 900m event before surging clear. Her breeding suggests that 1000m will suit and we might see her trying to lead from the gates. |