Highland Reel leads the market for this 12F Group Three, based on his strong 2nd to New Bay in the French Derby. The winner’s hold-up tactics might flatter the form and Joseph O’Brien’s mount went some way to confirm this when well beaten in the Irish Derby. I don’t rate the jockey nor the horse, so the 2/1 available stinks.
Space Age won a good handicap at Royal Ascot when receiving 3lbs from Scottish. The two re-oppose today at level weights, and I prefer form of the latter. Andrew Balding’s lightly-raced 3yo was touched off by subsequent Bahrain Trophy winner Mr Singh in his second crack at a maiden. He eventually won at the third time of asking on today’s good ground, beating Keble – a horse who franked that form by winning next time out before finishing a neck-second in a Windsor handicap – so 8/1 seems solid for a horse that’s still unexposed.
Having finished within two lengths of Golden Horn at Newmarket earlier in the season, Sir Michael Stoute’s Disegno has received a fairly short price of 6/1. It’s eye-catching form, but everything about that race was different to today: ground, distance, freshness and track, so I’m discounting it.
Medrano looks the a threat, with his Goodwood 2nd to Storm The Stars – placed three times in Group Ones this season – possibly the best form in the race. His easy Listed success at Hamilton last time out on soft ground is tough form to read, though after that success the handicapper now has him 14lbs higher than Scottish. The 9/2 seems fair.
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