Aesop’s Fables looked potentially top class on his first two starts. On his second start he won the G2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh by just over two lengths, going away at the finish.
He was an 8/13f for the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stales last time out but he was a beaten fourth. That was on soft ground though, his previous two victories both came on good.
With quicker ground expected here, can he resume winning ways?
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/04/23 | NAV | 6 | Hy | 9-10 | 2 |
| 22/10/22 | DON | 6 | Hy | 9-8 | 2 |
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 4 |
| 11/09/22 | CUR | 7 | Sft | 9-5 | 4 |
| 20/08/22 | CUR | 7 | Gd | 9-5 | 1 |
Royal Scotsman - who at time of writing – is trading as the outsider of the field, is a clear representation of how strong and competitive this race is.
He’s won two races from five, but his beaten efforts include a fourth in what’s probably been the best novice ran in the UK at Ascot, and then a third in the G2 Coventry, so he’s no mug.
He was shown to best effect when winning the Richmond at Goodwood (G2) in smooth style from some solid group horses in behind. He was beaten at York next time out but he wasn’t beaten far at all.
He will have to improve, stepping up a furlong, but on form – I’ve seen a million worse “outsiders”.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/05/23 | NMK | 8 | Sft | 9-2 | 3 |
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 2 |
| 19/08/22 | YOR | 6 | Gd | 9-5 | 5 |
| 28/07/22 | GOO | 6 | GF | 9-2 | 1 |
| 14/06/22 | ASC | 6 | GF | 9-3 | 3 |
Marbaan made it three on the spin at Goodwood two starts ago in the Vintage Stakes (G2) after two impressive novice wins.
However, his run last time out in the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh is cause for concern.
He finished a well beaten sixth of six, but it’s worth noting that this was on soft ground – judging his form, that wasn’t going to suit.
Could he resume progress on better ground? He’s already a G2 winner so he commands respect.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/05/23 | ASC | 6 | Gd | 9-3 | 4 |
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 5 |
| 11/09/22 | CUR | 7 | Sft | 9-5 | 6 |
| 26/07/22 | GOO | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 1 |
| 09/07/22 | SAL | 7 | GF | 9-11 | 1 |
Naval Power is an unbeaten son of Teofilo, who is a dual listed winner. He won two moderate novices before getting the better of Waiting All Night at Ascot, and Dancing Magic last time out at Haydock.
Although he’s unbeaten and has a “sexy” profile, others here have achieved more – so he must improve.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27/01/23 | MEY | 9 | Sft | 8-9 | 1 |
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 6 |
| 03/09/22 | HAY | 8 | GF | 9-7 | 1 |
| 23/07/22 | ASC | 7 | GF | 9-5 | 1 |
| 23/06/22 | LEI | 7 | GF | 9-10 | 1 |
Isaac Shelby is a Night Of Thunder colt, who’s unbeaten to date. He won over six and a half furlongs on debut at Newbury, where he ran out a ready winner.
He bettered that performance next time, when battling well to win the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket (July Course) from Victory Dance in second.
He did well to win there and showed guts as well as class.He’s a lovely looking horse who’s lightly raced. He’ll be a huge player.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/04/23 | NBY | 7 | Sft | 9-2 | 1 |
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 7 |
| 09/07/22 | NMK | 7 | GF | 9-3 | 1 |
| 31/05/22 | NBY | 6.5 | GS | 9-7 | 1 |
Chaldean was fifth in a moderate novice on debut at Newbury, but it’s what he’s done since that matters. He’s won three on the bounce, including a G3 and G2 last time out in the Champagne Stakes.
He’s a well bred horse, who’s clearly still improving, whilst already running at a high level. Write off at your peril.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/05/23 | NMK | 8 | Sft | 9-2 | 1 |
| 22/04/23 | NBY | 7 | Sft | 9-2 | UR |
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 1 |
| 11/09/22 | DON | 7 | Sft | 9-2 | 1 |
| 17/08/22 | YOR | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 1 |
Nostrum is a well bred colt by Kingman, another who puts his unbeaten record on the line.
He’s won twice, at Sandown and Newmarket (on the Rowley Mile course) so he’s proven that he can handle the undulations, which is a positive.
He won the G3 Tattersall Stakes last time out from Holloway Boy and Victory Dance, and he did it well. There’s no telling where his ceiling is, and visually – he’s seriously exciting.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-3 | 3 |
| 22/09/22 | NMK | 7 | Gd | 9-2 | 1 |
| 21/07/22 | SAN | 7 | GF | 9-7 | 1 |
