Fool’s Gold will be the ride of Hollie Doyle this week. The two-year-old was well beaten over six furlongs on debut at Newmarket, before responding well at Windsor over the same trip to beat Flavour Maker by half a length.
He is up in grade this week, and drops back in trip.
The Roger Teal runner in the race this weekend is Rosario. George Rooke will take the ride on the outsider, who has only been seen once on the racecourse.
However, he was a commanding winner in lesser company when scoring over five furlongs at Ffos Las by a length and a quarter from Heed The Call. However, this requires a huge step up.
Kylian is a runner for Karl Burke this week, as the two-year-old looks to get back on track. He was excellent over five furlongs at Sandown in early July, but was beaten by Big Evs in the G3 Molecomb at Goodwood.
A revert back to five furlongs could spark a response, as he finished seven lengths behind Lake Forest in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes on his previous start over six furlongs.
Adrian Murray-trained Valliant Force was the shock 150/1 winner of the G2 Norfolk in June, but he failed to make the step up in trip at Deauville last month when fifth of nine in the G1 Prix Morny.
Back to five furlongs this week does offer encouragement, but others are more likely.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/08/23 | DEA | 6 | VSft | 9-0 | 5 |
| 22/06/23 | ASC | 5 | GF | 9-3 | 1 |
| 27/05/23 | CUR | 6 | Gd | 9-5 | 5 |
| 01/05/23 | CUR | 5 | Sft | 9-5 | 2 |
Andrew Balding’s runner in the race this week is Flora Of Bermuda. Oisin Murphy will take the ride on the filly, who drops back to five furlongs after finishing last eight of eight in the G2 Lowther Stakes.
However, she is a fascinating contender based on her four-length win over Juniper Berries in the Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes over five furlongs at Goodwood in August. She’s worth serious consideration.
Graceful Thunder is the runner for George Boughey at Doncaster this week. Daniel Muscutt takes the ride on the filly, who was last seen over five furlongs in France when finishing a very close third behind Tiger Belle in the G3 Prix d’Arenberg.
If you overlook her 13th in a big field in the G2 Queen Mary, she holds a solid record on paper in decent company. Could be overpriced.
Richard Fahey and Oisin Orr join forces with Malc at Doncaster this week. The two-year-old is winless since scoring on debut, but was a fine second over five furlongs at Ascot over five furlongs in the G2 Norfolk Stakes.
He reverts back to five furlongs after finishing sixth of ninth in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket. Could offer a decent play at a bigger price.
Toca Madera is the runner for Brian Meehan this week, and Sean Levey will take the ride. He has been well held behind a number of his re-appearing rivals this week, including when eleventh of 15 in the G2 Norfolk Stakes.
However, his best form has come over five furlongs, including a two length success over Dapperling at Bath in June.
Michael Appleby-trained Big Evs returns to action in two-year-old company on Friday after previously attempting his luck in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes.
A return to calmer waters once again makes him a dangerous player after winning on back-to-back starts over five furlongs at Ascot and Goodwood.
The latter of those saw him defeat a number of re-appearing rivals this week, and he holds a strong chance in the hands of Tom Marquand.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/09/23 | DON | 5 | Sft | 9-3 | 1 |
| 25/08/23 | YOR | 5 | GF | 8-3 | 14 |
| 02/08/23 | GOO | 5 | Sft | 9-3 | 1 |
| 21/06/23 | ASC | 5 | GF | 9-5 | 1 |
| 29/05/23 | RED | 5 | GF | 9-4 | 2 |
Inquisitively will be the ride of William Buick for Kevin Philippart De Foy this week. The two-year-old finally got off the mark at the third attempt at York at the end of last month, finishing two lengths clear of Purosangue.
He looked very impressive on that day, but he has form to find on Big Evs after finishing nearly four lengths behind his rival in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Kevin Stott takes the ride on Francis Meynell this week for trainer Michael O’Callaghan. The two-year-old has only made one previous career appearance, and was seen winning over five furlongs at Navan.
He looked smart on that day, as he finished nearly a length clear of Emerald Banner. Looks ready for this kind of test.
Gina Mangan takes the ride on Zoulou Chief for trainer Heather Main this week. The two-year-old is well worth his chance in this company, as he has impressed over his two previous starts.
The latest of those saw him beat Starlust by over a length in handicap company. He’s back down in trip this weekend, and could be worth a second look.
