2.30pm
I am happy to admit that I would love to see Princess Chizara win this for my friend Conrad Allen who is more than capable given the right ammunition, but she will need to step up despite an impressive Brighton win to take this, though even a place would see me cheering loudly. Stranger things have happened, and I wish connections all the best, but my main bet will be elsewhere. Beautiful Diamond oozed class when coming clear under a tender ride at Nottingham on her debut, and as she cost £360,000 at the breeze-ups and represents last season’s winning stable, there is a lot to like about her chances. New York based trainer Thomas Morley is British born and has made no secret of how much he would love a win at this meeting, and if Cynane gets away quickly to settle in an early lead, she may take plenty of catching and could be an each way alternative.
3.05pm
Not a race I can pretend to have strong view on, but the booking of James McDonald to ride Yerwanthere for Joseph O’Brien did catch my eye. The winner of his first two starts at Leopardstown and then Dundalk were followed by a four-length seventh in Listed class at Naas when he was repeatedly denied a run at a crucial stage before being eased off once his chance had gone, and off a mark 3lb lower here he could surprise a few.
3.40pm
Prosperous Voyage has been well backed in recent days from an opening 6/1 to her current 2/1 and I can understand why after her win at Epsom last time out, and her defeat of Inspiral in the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last July. She looks likely to get the fast ground she seems to prefer but I offer a note of caution – she doesn’t appear to be the most consistent filly in training, and her price is plenty short enough for my liking.
4.20pm
It really is a difficult call here between Adayar and Luxembourg, but over this trip I have (finally) come down on the side of the Aidan O’Brien colt now I know the going is 90% certain to be on the quicker side – despite siding with the 2021 Derby winner earlier in the week! The trip is what I hope is in the son of Camelot’s favour with all three of his wins last year over this sort of trip, whereas his market rival has won over this trip – but only on ground with plenty of cut in it that may have brought his stamina into play. It should certainly be an interesting contest of cat and mouse and it will be intriguing to see if the selection tries to make all as he did when winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out, or will that only set things up for his rival - in Ryan Moore we trust!
5.00pm
Perotto won the Brittania Stakes over C&D in 2021 off a mark 3lb higher, and although without a win since, he showed signs of a return to form when seventh here over seven furlongs on his return to action. Everyone seems to think he is well handicapped and his price has contracted accordingly and I narrowly prefer the each way chances of Reach For The Moon who finally gets his ground. Once seen as a potential world-beater, that label soon disappeared, but he still has some solid placed form in Group and Listed class including success in the Solario Stakes as a two-year-old, and although no good thing, imagine the cheers if he comes home in front wearing the royal colours?
5.35pm
Not a race that usually excites me, but this year we have a really competitive renewal that looks likely to fall to one of Gregory (unbeaten and the highest rated by the handicapper), Chesspiece (Godolphin owned and trained by the Crisfords), or Peking Opera (Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore). Value is the name of the game and as I write this, the lightly raced son of Galileo is a double figure price despite staying on well to win under Seamie Heffernan at Navan, and the fact that such a powerful stable relies on him here, may yet speak volumes.
6.10pm
A fast run five furlongs may yet be just what the doctor ordered for the once-raced Johannes Brahms, a half-length winner over a furlong further at Naas when keeping on well at the death. The drop back in trip may see him outpaced early on by the speedballs, but if they start stopping close home, he may well run over them at the death to come home in front or at least run into a place.
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