By Sam Turner -
ALYANAABI – Owen Burrows
Landed a G3 at Newmarket in the autumn prior to finishing a creditable second to City Of Troy in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes (beaten 3l). Boasts a solid place chance at least.
CITY OF TROY – Aidan O’Brien
Superstar juvenile who ended his two-year-old campaign unbeaten courtesy of a brilliant win in the G1 Dewhurst. Reported to have wintered well and clearly tough to beat.
DIEGO VELAZQUEZ - Aidan O’Brien
Two-time Irish winner from a good family but came unstuck on heavy ground in the G1 Futurity Stakes at Doncaster last autumn. Entitled to leave that form behind but needs to.
GHOSTWRITER – Clive Cox
Talented colt who ended his juvenile campaign with a classy win in the G2 Royal Lodge over C&D. Has the scope to progress again this term and track experience a huge plus.
HAATEM – Richard Hannon
Sprang a mini surprise in a weak renewal of the G3 Craven Stakes but could do no more than win by three-and-a-half lengths in a good time. A lively contender given track form.
HENRY LONGFELLOW - Aidan O’Brien
Talented son of Dubawi who ended campaign unbeaten courtesy of three victories on easy ground. Looks more a Derby prospect given his breeding, but unexposed and dangerous.
IBERIAN – Charlie Hills
Likeable son of Lope De Vega who won two as a juvenile including in G2 company at Doncaster. Has 9l to find with City Of Troy from their running in the Dewhurst.
INISHERIN – Kevin Ryan
Outran market expectations when beaten by subsequent Listed winner Bellum Justum over C&D in the autumn and impressed on Newcastle comeback beating another subsequent scorer. A very lively outsider.
NIGHT RAIDER – Karl Burke
Unbeaten in two synthetic track starts at Southwell, the second of which was achieved in a strong time. A switch to turf and the undulations of the Rowley Mile an unknown, but undeniably talented.
NOTABLE SPEECH – Charlie Appleby
Classy son of Dubawi who is 3-3 at Kempton, including when displaying a blistering turn of foot to score last time. This represents a completely different test, but difficult to write off his chance given his natural ability.
RIVER TIBER - Aidan O’Brien
Royal Ascot winner who then twice chased home Vandeek in G1 events at Deauville and Newmarket. Appears to have the profile of a sprinter so others make more appeal here.
ROSALLION – Richard Hannon
Classy son of Blue Point who is reported to have worked superbly in preparation for this test. His Ascot win last July could not have worked out better and he must surely be on the scene if handling the track.
TASK FORCE – Ralph Beckett
Displayed signs of inexperience in the Middle Park Stakes despite winning his first two starts beforehand. This should be the ideal trip this term but can be keen and needs to settle better.
TEN BOB TONY – Ed Walker
Landed a 7f conditions race at this venue on his comeback and race fitness and track knowledge should stand him in good stead. Suspicion that he might just fall short in this grade though.
VERDICT
City Of Troy looked one of the most exciting juveniles seen in years last term and, unless this field has caught up with him significantly during the winter, he is going to take plenty of beating. The international markets have him priced accordingly though and there looks plenty of talent in opposition, not least the unexposed Rosallion and Notable Speech. Of those less fancied in the international markets, Ghostwriter and Alyanaabi both have track experience and should at least being vying for a podium finish, while Inisherin could surprise with a big run.
- City Of Troy
- Alyanaabi
- Ghostwriter
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