Jockey Club Stakes Guide

Trainer - Mark Johnston

Jockey - Silvestre De Sousa

Improved a great deal last season in what was a highly productive campaign for the four-year-old colt, which merited five victories.

Won at this track last term albeit in a handicap, and has struggled to always show the same in higher levels, including on his return in a Group Three at Newbury - his best performance arguably coming at Glorious Goodwood.

De Sousa absolutely flying for his new contractors at the minute, and Johnston has the best man aboard to apply the steering.

T - Roger Varian

J - David Egan

Another duo in red-hot form are the double act of Roger Varian and David Egan who combine with Defoe, who will be seeking vengeance from his return run at Newbury.

In the end, well beaten by Marmelo went sent off the 9/4 second favourite, but does hold a big chance in this off the back of his win in this contest last year.

Classy competitor particularly at this grade, but will need to be on his A game.

T - Mark Johnston

J - William Buick

Returned at Epsom in Handicap company to finish well down the field.

This distance of 1m4f does promise and assure to suit but does need a career-best to be involved in this contest.

Missed most of last year after useful second to Roaring Lion in the Dante having won the Listed Fielden here in April.

On that account, he would go into calculations.

T - Ed Dunlop

J - Ryan Moore

Excellent form when winning on seasonal reappearance proving he goes well fresh, picking up the pieces over Willie John's disappointment.

In peak shape as he usually is on return, and finished second to Defoe in this contest last year.

Attempted a campaign internationally which certainly did not work out at Caulfield (Aus) or Sha Tin (HK), and was a long way behind the classy Stradivarius at York on previous British outing.

Did manage a fine run of seconds last summer, but recent results prior to his return leaves him with plenty to find.

T - William Haggas

J - James Doyle

Aside from the Epsom Derby last term, Young Rascal won all of his four racecourse appearances - three of which were at Newbury, but was very below par on return this time around at the Berkshire track.

After a smart effort at Chester around this time last year ahead of eventual Derby placee Dee Ex Bee (form boosted at Ascot), he never really handled Epsom's tricky contours in the second Classic of the season for the colts.

Was every possibility he is going to be a better horse this year, and will need to improve a great deal from that effort three weeks ago when a well-beaten favourite.

Still fancied, but not an obvious choice.

T - John Gosden

J - Frankie Dettori

John Gosden's consistent mare Coronet is back for another season, and has a big form chance off the back of her three Group One seconds last year.

She was last seen finishing as the runner-up in the British Champions Fillies & Mares at Ascot, splitting the recent Alleged Stakes winner Magical and St Leger second Lah Ti Dar.

The five-year-old won her reappearance last year in the Middleton at York, and will be expected to go close once more.

T - Andrew Balding

J - Rob Hornby

Andrew Balding has the filly Maid Up who progressed nicely last term, and was supplemented late for the St Leger at Doncaster which did not go to plan in the end.

However, she struck at Goodwood twice and Ascot over the summer decisively for the Brightwalton Bloodstock Limited who don't have many, but needs another sizeable step forward on her optimum going to be involved in this big affair.

Shame two places are only offered with seven runners, as she would have been a player in the each-way market, whereas on-the-other-hand, she may need the run with fitter rivals around.