Johannes won this last year from exactly the same mark and though unsuccessful subsequently will have been primed for this and ran very well at Newmarket last time. FITZ FLYER has only won once, on Polytrack in December 2009, but he’s always competed at a high level on turf and looks well enough handicapped to double his tally here. Ancient Cross is very consistent and that has counted against him as his strike-rate of 2-34 in no way reflects his ability and he should get competitive. Falasteen missed the break at Chester last week after scoring at Epsom and though 7lb higher he should be there at the finish along with stablemate Courageous, runner-up in the Bronze Cup at Ayr in September and better for last month’s Newbury run. Hazelrigg was in very good form last year though has suffered in the weights as a consequence but Blue Jack can usually be relied on in this kind of grade and isn’t out of this despite his big weight.
14:00 : totesport.com Middleton Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)
MIDDAY just failed to concede 5lb to the brilliant but ultimately flawed Sariska in this a year ago but went on to land three Group 1’s before finishing runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Filly And Mare at Churchill Downs. She meets some very nice fillies here but should have no problems conceding her penalties and making a winning reappearance. Her trainer also runs Timepiece, who has won a couple of Listed events but hasn’t proved herself at this level unlike Music Show, who tackles this trip for the first time but showed when staying on behind Goldikova in the Prix Rothschild over Longchamp’s mile in August that the extra should hold no terrors. Sajjhaa produced her best runs on ground with some give at the backend of last season winning a Group 3 in Italy. She’s capable of better while Myplacelater improved dramatically last year and always does her best.
14:30 – totesport Dante Stakes (Group 2)
Carlton House, SEVILLE and World Domination are at the forefront of the betting for the Derby and this looks yet another excellent renewal. The former had today’s rival Yaseer nine lengths behind when landing his maiden at Newbury in October and big things are expected of him as they are of World Domination, who had been the subject of superlatives from gallop watchers all winter before making an impressive debut at Newbury. This pair have the potential to be stars but Seville has the form in the book and gets the vote. Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt is out of a mare who won a middle-distance Group 3 so though the fact that he was able to finish a close runner-up to Casamento in the Racing Post Trophy suggests he will have both the pace and staying power for this. The remaining pair are useful but don’t look quite up to this standard.
15:00 – totesport 0800 221 221 Hambleton Stakes (Listed Handicap)
Fareer won this a year ago but is 7lb higher and has a bit to find with St Moritz and Off Chance on their run at Doncaster where the former gained the second of his two victories. He was brushed aside by Side Glance at Ascot later but that was certainly no disgrace. Justonefortheroad is in great heart having won the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time but he’s now on his highest-ever mark and this looks tougher. PINTURA is another on a career high mark but that didn’t prevent a cracking effort at Chester last week and any further rain will definitely aid his cause. Silvestre De Sousa takes the ride for the first time and Dave Simcock’s charge is taken to gain his sixth victory. Wannabe King was well beaten in this a year ago but returned to action with a hard-fought victory at Sandown and a 4lb rise is by no means excessive. Balducci hasn’t had much racing for his age and is the type to win some good races this season as is Lucy Wadham’s Irish import Crystal Gal, who has competed at a very high level throughout her career and makes her handicap debut.
15:35 – Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Sprint Conditions Stakes
The two previous renewals have stayed in Yorkshire but this looks destined for Kingsclere via NIGHT CARNATION. Andrew Balding’s filly was raised an incredible 20lb after finishing runner-up in a Listed contest at Doncaster in October and began the season in a tough handicap at Sandown. However, she produced a superb effort to beat Ahtoug and has several Group entries for the coming weeks. She can take this though Margot Did looks a formidable challenger having shown she had trained on with a fine run behind Perfect Tribute at Ascot. Michael Bell’s filly ran in many of the top juvenile fillies’ races last season and was never beaten far so it will be a surprise if she doesn’t prove up to this. Lord Avon is on a four-timer but has much more to do after victories at Wolverhampton and Bath but Move In Time mixed it in very good company last season and ran really well on very testing ground in France on his comeback last month.
16:10 – Stratford Place Stud For Royal Ascot 2yo’s E.B.F. Maiden Stakes
Noor Zabeel, third behind Foxtrot India at Goodwood, and Come On Blue Chip, who occupied the same position behind the impressive Commisar at Newmarket, are the best of those with experience but this could go to a newcomer. Commisar’s trainer Paul Cole has regularly sent his best juveniles to the Knavesmire and Overpowered, a son of the very speedy Choisir, may be another. He should go well but preference is just for GIORGIO’S DRAGON, who has pace throughout his pedigree and was an expensive purchase by Sir Robert Ogden in August. Another who should have plenty of speed is Barolo Top, a half-brother to the smart Kingsgate Prince.
16:45 – Investec Handicap
Hollins won this easily a year ago and though 7lb higher and unsuccessful over hurdles during the winter he should go well again. Hawridge Star is a real mudlark and would have been the selection on softer ground after his success at Newmarket. Descaro stays extreme distances while Simonside scored over 2m here in September and is just 2lb higher. Warne’s Way reverted to the Flat with an easy success on very fast ground at Newbury under Kieren Fallon and Blackmore is very closely matched with Descaro on their recent 1-2 over 2m2f at Pontefract. DANCING DUDE won a maiden over 1m4f at Newcastle a year ago but didn’t really come into his own until sent over hurdles last month. Victories at Uttoxeter and Towcester showed him to be much improved and he can continue his progress by taking this.