The Investec Woodcode EBF Stakes gets us underway and although Richard Hannon has been dominant in recent years it is Charlie Appleby's PINATUBO that we are siding with. He quickened clear in impressive fashion at Wolves on debut and second and third have since followed up. This represents the strongest form on offer and the yard are operating at a 28% strike rate (last 14 days - as of 29/05/19).
A traditionally tricky handicap, the Investec Mile features 15 runners this year and it is Jason Watson's mount HISTORY WRITER that tops our shortlist. The 4-y-o son of Canford Cliffs was going on at the finish at Sandown's evening meeting last week and has a cracking chance of making amends if he has fully recovered.
He lacks course form, which can prove vital in a race like this, but Sandown Park is also a testing track and he has built up a consistent record there.
Aidan O'Brien has accounted for five of the previous ten winners of the Coronation Cup and he arrives with a two-pronged attack in the shape of Kew Gardens and Cypress Creek. It is better to focus on the former, who disappointed at Chester on seasonal reappearance, but holds every right to be favourite based on his exceptional 3-y-o exploits. He is expected to improve for that outing and the return to a sounder surface and for them reasons he is feared, but LAH TI DAR looks the value bet at the early prices.
John Gosden was impressed with the way she won over an inadequate trip at York and she will only get better back over 1m4f. Has to reverse the St. Leger form but had it all to do from the back that day.
Sir Michael Stoute has his string in unbelievable form and he looks to have outstanding claims for The Queen in the Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap. ELECTOR seems a typical type for the yard, improving plenty from 3-4 as he returned from a layoff with a convincing win at Newmarket.
More to come.
Aidan O'Brien certainly knows how to win this race and PINK DOGWOOD has been the subject of an antepost gamble. She has been impressing at home and shaped as though this trip would be her optimum when finishingly strongly last time out so she still gets our vote; even at the shorter odds.
Using this form line, we make Dermot Weld's TARNAWA an interesting e/w angle. She finished behind our main selection at Navan before following up over this trip at Naas, which is a testing track within itself and the conditions were also very similar to the forecasted good ground.
At 25/1 there are obvious risks attached, but Dermot Weld is having a cracking season and it would be no surprise to see him popup at Epsom, emulating his famous victory with Harzand back in 2016.
Angel's Hideaway makes obvious appeal stepping down in class from a big run in this year's 1000 Guineas, but a risk is taken that one-time Derby entrant SPACE BLUES can cope with this rise in class. He looked very much a pattern-class horse when winning on debut and the form of that race has worked out nicely.
He can be forgiven for his lesser efforts as he simply doesn't stay - 7f looks his trip and he gets that here.
Ripp Orf is admirably consistent in these type of races and was sent off 9/2 JF for this race last year, but lost all hope when stumbling badly at a crucial stage in the race. With no errors, he has every chance of making amends off just 5lb higher and Hayley Turner, who gave him a peach of a ride when winning at Ascot is back in the saddle.
