Hector Crouch takes the ride on Angel Bleu this weekend for trainer Ralph Beckett. The four-year-old was a winner on soft ground over a mile at Goodwood in the G2 Celebration Mile Stakes on his previous start.
But, he was well back in the field over course and distance in both the G2 Summer Mile Stakes and G1 Queen Anne Stakes earlier this season.
William Knight and William Buick join forces with Checkandchallenge this weekend. The four-year-old was well beaten over a mile and two in the G2 Prix Dollar last month when fifth of nine, but a return to a mile should suit.
However, he still appears to be outclassed on bare form after finishing eighth in the G1 Lockinge over a mile at Newbury in May. An unlikely winner.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/10/23 | ASC | 8 | Sft | 9-6 | 4 |
| 30/09/23 | LON | 10 | GS | 9-2 | 5 |
| 29/07/23 | YOR | 10.5 | Gd | 9-8 | 4 |
| 20/06/23 | ASC | 10 | Gd | 9-5 | 7 |
| 20/05/23 | NBY | 8 | Gd | 9-2 | 8 |
Facteur Cheval represents the Jerome Reynier yard this weekend. He threw down the challenge to Paddington earlier in the season over a mile when second to his returning rival in the G1 Sussex Stakes.
Was last seen finishing third of eight in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. He’s a very consistent horse over this distance, and a place finish may not be out of his reach.
Christopher Head’s runner in the race this weekend is Big Rock. The three-year-old has finished second on each of his previous two starts, including most recently in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.
However, the expected rain could be very key for his chances after scoring victory over Horizon Dore by five lengths on heavy ground in early May.
Chaldean will be the ride of Frankie Dettori on Saturday for trainer Andrew Balding. He steps back up to a mile this weekend after finishing seventh of 12 on soft ground at Deauville in early July.
He was well beaten by Paddington in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes over course and distance in June, leaving him with a lot to find.
Epictetus is the runner from the John & Thady Gosden yard this weekend. The three-year-old looked back on track when beating Nostrum by a length in the G3 Bonhams Stakes in August on soft ground.
However, he has been very disappointing on his previous two starts. His inconsistency makes him a challenging contender to assess.
Kevin Ryan’s runner in the race this weekend is Hi Royal, who will be the ride of James Doyle. The three-year-old was third of eleven when finishing behind Paddington in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas in May, and was disappointing over seven furlongs on soft at Deauville in July.
The return to a mile in August did little to spark a revival, finishing 19 lengths behind Inspiral in Group 1 company in France.
Hollie Doyle takes the ride on Nashwa for John & Thady Gosden this weekend. The four-year-old was third of eight in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes over a mile and two last month, and she returns to a mile this weekend.
She was last seen over this distance in devastating form, beating Remarquee by four lengths to land the G1 Falmouth.
Ryan Moore takes the ride on Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington on Saturday. The three-year-old suffered a first defeat in six efforts in stakes company in late August, finishing third in the G1 Juddmonte International.
However, a return to a mile looks perfect for the runner, who has landed the G1 Sussex, G1 St James’s Palace, and G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas over the distance. Soft ground isn’t likely to be an issue.
Daniel Tudhope will be onboard Rogue Millennium for trainer Tom Clover this weekend. The four-year-old was last seen finishing last of eleven over a mile and two at Longchamp, and the drop back to a mile would be a plus.
She was a course and distance winner in June, beating Random Harvest by a neck in the G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. But, this is a considerable step up in opposition.
Chris Hayes takes the ride on Tahiyra for trainer Dermot Weld this weekend. The three-year-old was last seen at the start of last month, beating Rogue Millennium by over a length over a mile to land the G1 Matron Stakes.
She has course and distance form in the book, having landed success in the G1 Coronation Stakes in June. Her only career defeat came in the G1 1,000 Guineas after a 238-day break in May. Clearly a very special filly.
