Josephine Gordon: She would go very close to winning if in that kind of form here
Apex King
This looks a very competitive handicap and Apex King needs to improve upon his two starts this season to be winning this. But those runs were in Listed company, he has been dropped 3lb for them, and he has been gelded since his last run. If he returns to his juvenile best, he is certainly not without a chance.
Star Rock
We haven’t seen her since she won her maiden over course and distance in May. I don’t know why to be honest, but we do know that the horse she beat ½ length that day, God Given, won her next three starts and took her chance in the Vermeille recently. Of course, you shouldn’t take that form literally but God Given is now rated 105 and Star Rock runs off a mark of just 80 here. She must have a good chance if fit enough after her absence, but this does look a competitive handicap.
Denmead
This is a proper Cesarewitch Trial with 21 runners. I haven’t ridden Denmead before but he looks to be improving and finished a good second, over 2m at Kempton, to a horse who ran well in defeat next time. A lot of his good efforts have come on the all-weather but he has plenty of turf form, so hopefully there is nothing to worry about on that front. A bit of ease in the ground appears to suit him well.
Dance To Paris
There are some beautifully-bred newcomers in here, not least Magic Lily, so this race could take a lot of winning. My filly was probably a little disappointing at Sandown last time after a promising second on her debut, but hopefully her experience will stand her in good stead and 1m should suit on breeding. Hugo’s Mystic Meg goes well at home and she runs in a hood as she can apparently be a little keen.
Poet’s Princess (non runner)
She finished an excellent second over course and distance in May and would go very close to winning this race if in that kind of form, as she is 4lb lower than when running Ekhtiyaar to a head. Unfortunately, she has done nothing of late, and has struggled to beat a horse home. But that is why she has come down 8lb in the weights, I guess. Hopefully, she can bounce back to form on her return to this track, and her best efforts have come on this good to soft ground.
Find 32Red’s latest odds here – we offer price boosts on every UK and Irish racing event, as well as enhanced multiples and jockey specials. If you’re still up for a flutter, be sure to check out our award-winning casino too!
