Not the force of old. Marie’s Diamond is now fifteen starts without a win. His best recent run came two starts ago when second in a listed race at Pontefract behind Alflaila with the useful Modern News back in third.
He’s an in and out type, and on his recent, spotty form – it’s hard to trust him.
Holds Cadillac on his form from two starts ago, he backed that good effort up with a win in a Thirsk conditions race. He’s clearly an abundance of ability, though he’s been largely frustrating in his career to date.
Are things finally beginning to click?
Winner of a listed race in Ireland before moving to Kevin Philippart De Foy. He then ran in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot where he was beaten into second by Dubai Future.
Last time out represented a solid run though, he ran a good race there behind Grocer Jack and Finest Sound, though Cadillac finished third and was promoted to second in the Stewards’ Room.
Fourth in the Derby before failing to back up that run in two starts since. He’s beaten just the one horse home on each start since, and he doesn’t look as if he is comfortable at any trip at the moment, so this may serve as a fact finding mission.
Impossible to recommend on recent efforts.
Alflaila seemingly looks to be still progressing. He took a listed race last time out at Pontefract from Marie’s Diamond in second with Modern News in behind in third.
That run represents a solid level of form and as he continues to improve, who knows where his ceiling is?
Winless since his debut romp at Sandown. He’s ran well on several occasions now without threatening to win.
Last time out he finished third of eight in the Thoroughbred’s Stakes at the Glorious Goodwood meeting, and on that form he’d be in with a shout.
However, it’ll be hard to have lots of confidence in him, given he’s not got his head in front in four starts now.
Useful filly who picked up a G3 on Derby day at Epsom. She failed to back that effort up next time out at Royal Ascot though, so that would be a slight negative given she looked so flat there.
She will need to bounce back in this company.
Relatively unexposed son of.. yes you guessed it, Ulysess. He ran an absolute cracker in the St James’ Palace at Ascot when 5th of 11 in a blanket finish.
He then backed up at Newmarket in July to win a listed race in comfortable fashion from Alflaila in behind. He seems to hold Alflaila on that form, and that may be good enough to take this.
