The first one that
takes our eye is, naturally enough, topweight Farraaj (16/1), who has
the steadier of 10st 0lb, but carries just a 3lb penalty for winning
the John Smith’s Cup at York earlier this month. That was his
second impressive handicap win in a row and, while a mile is arguably
on the short side for him these days, the likely fast pace could
bring his proven stamina into play in the closing stages.
At the same price,
Heavy Metal (16/1) has returned to something like his best on his
last two starts and is another who carries just a 3lb penalty for
winning the International Stakes, over 7 furlongs, at Ascot last
Saturday. He had a few of these behind on that occasion and, having
won over a sharp mile at Brighton, he promises to be equally
effective on this vastly different course. He is just one of seven
entries for Middleham Moor trainer Mark Johnston, but if he does line
up he must have a decent chance of completing a quick-fire double.
Heaven’s Guest (20/1)
finished just 1½ lengths behind Heavy Metal at Ascot and reopposes
on 2lb better terms. That, in itself, shouldn’t be quite enough for
him to reverse the form, but the way he stayed on in the closing
stages suggested stepping up to a mile could be exactly what he wants
at this stage of his career. He’s only 2lb higher in the weights
than when winning the Bunbury Cup on the July Course at Newmarket two
weeks previously and is pretty much in the form of his life.
At much longer odds,
St. Moritz (40/1) could only finish seventh, beaten 6 lengths, behind
ante post favourite Velox at Sandown last time, but is 11lb better
off and, if ridden with slightly more restraint, must have every
chance of reversing the form on this much sharper track. Admittedly,
he didn’t do his handicap mark much good when winning back-to-back
handicaps in May and June, but wasn’t beaten far at Sandown off a
2lb lower mark on his penultimate start and appears to have been
underestimated by the layers.
Last, but hopefully not
least, I must confess to having a soft spot – possibly between my
ears – for Excellent Guest (66/1). The Exceed And Excel gelding is
clearly smart when on song, as he demonstrated when winning the
Victoria Cup, over 7 furlongs, at Ascot on his reappearance last
season off a 1lb higher mark. Unplaced runs in the Victoria Cup and
Buckingham Palace Stakes so far this season don’t inspire much
confidence, but outsiders is what we’re all about and he’s
definitely one of those.
So, for our three
against the field this week, we’re going for Farraaj, St. Moritz
and Excellent Guest, in no particular order. Good luck!