2.30pm - Listed Dragon Stakes
Anyone who reads this column regularly should have learned that I am a huge fan of any Wathnan runner, especially with their two-year-olds.
Aesterius was actually my pick for the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot just a few weeks ago, and although he only came fifth that day, he was just beaten by a little under two lengths to his owners’ first string Shareholder.
He ran very well for the majority of the contest that day, when keeping up with the frontrunners throughout before running on at the same pace to claim fifth spot, and he was actually second among the far group of runners.
He was an expensive Breeze Up purchase, and made a very good impression on debut when landing a Bath novice contest by 2¾ lengths when a well-fancied odds-on favourite.
This step down to Listed level will suit, and if he can reproduce the effort from the Norfolk Stakes last time out, then he will be a tough nut to crack here on Friday.
Most of the opposition arrive into this contest in good form and off the back of running at the Royal Meeting two weeks back, but none ran as well as Archie Watson's Aesterius, with Hollie Doyle booked up to ride.
- Selection - Aesterius (13/8 Win)
4.15pm - Listed Gala Stakes
Probably not the best Listed contest, in truth, with most of these on somewhat of a recovery mission, and having a little bit to prove at this level. Previous form could represent the strongest here as John & Thady Gosden's Lion Pride arrives into this off the back of a decent 3rd at Kempton last time, which was his first run of the season, a placed effort behind Dubai Honour who has since come out and landed a Group 1 contest in the France, so the form of that Kempton race is very strong.
That run was 95 days ago, so this son of Roaring Lion does have a fair break to overcome here, but given the fact that he is a four-year-old and has only had six runs to his name so far, I am assuming he is a little tricky to train, which would explain why he is so lightly raced for his age.
A listed winner at Kempton in the Floodlit Stakes over 1m4f, he clearly has the talent to mix it up at this level, and although he is yet to win on turf, this renders as a brilliant opportunity for him to get off the mark on the grass.
The joint-second-highest rated horse in the field, he is sure to come a fair bit from that run last time and the fact that connections have pitched him into Listed company here would suggest he is more than good enough to land a race of this nature. I think he could put it all together on Friday and win this nicely.
- Selection - Lion's Pride (5/2 Win)
4.50pm - Listed Coral Marathon
Given the fact thatTrueshan has been more of a non-runner than actually a runner this season, I don't see him turning up for this, given that the ground is expected to be on the good side at Sandown this Friday - in which case, I just think Quickthorn will be given to much rope and lead these a merry dance.
A Group 1 Goodwood Cup winner last season, he was given an absolutely brilliant ride from the front by Tom Marquand, making all to hold on and power clear down the Goodwood straight, landing his best prize by six lengths.
I would draw a line through that effort at Ascot last time, as it was his first run of the season, and looking at his previous form fresh, he would have most likely needed the run, plus he didn't break out the stalls like he usually does, thereby using up far too much petrol to get to the front end.
With the likely small field for this contest on Friday, I feel he will be far too good for the rest of these, and if Trueshan were to turn up, it could be a real battle for the lead in the opening stages. Quickthorn is the highest rated in the field, and aside from Trueshan he is way clear of the rest, leading to the conclusion that, with fitness now on his side, his Group 1 class will very much shine through here before another tilt at retaining his Goodwood Cup crown later on in the month.
Hughie Morrison has done very well to win a Group 1 with this horse, and I feel there might be another one in the pipeline further down the line.
- Selection - Quickthorn (6/4)
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