Luke Morris: I’m expecting a big run from him, but the drying ground is a worry
Dark Pearl
I haven’t sat on him before but he looks to have a progressive profile, following up his Chepstow win with a third on his handicap debut at Ascot last time. He has been raised 2lb, which is enough I think, but hopefully he can continue to progress. There is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, with 2m winners in the family, so the step up to this trip for the first time could see him step forward again. He has form on soft and fast, so he should be fine whatever the weather throws at him.
Flymetothestars
I am not sure being drawn 21 is ideal – he needs cover – but history tells you that you would rather be drawn high than low, and I’d like to think he has a leading chance. The betting seems to suggest he has but, as well as the draw, I am worried about the drying ground. I think he needs a bit of dig. He has a lightly-raced, progressive profile and he is a big stamp of a horse who should have more to give as he gains experience. It was disappointing that he couldn’t get the job done when a close third in the Northumberland Plate last time, and he has gone up 2lb for that run, but, as I said, I think he is the type with more improvement in him. This is his turf debut, which I suppose is a bit odd in itself, but he is by Sea The Stars out of a Group 3 winner, so I don’t have any worries on that score myself as such. I’m expecting a big run from him on just his sixth start, but the drying ground, and draw, does concern me.
Mistress Of Venice
She didn’t run up to her best when last in the Princess Margaret at Ascot last time but her earlier efforts in Group company mark her down as clearly the one to beat in here. Her fourth to Clemmie in the Duchess Of Cambridge is by some way the best form on offer in this race and it will be disappointing if she doesn’t win, and win well.
Dorcas
She did well to win at Ripon recently, is progressing, and the step up to 7f looks set to suit. But the 7lb penalty that she picked up for that win makes life tough for her as a couple of these, notably Escape The City, have shown a similar level of form to her and are getting that weight.
Big Storm Coming
He obviously comes here in good form, and it’s just a matter of whether the handicapper has caught up with him for the time being as he has gone up 6lb for his two good runs this season. This is a career-high mark but conditions will suit.
Bourbonisto
He doesn’t look to have run up to his best at Ripon last time but if he runs up the form of is Doncaster third previously, which came off a 2lb higher mark, then he could go okay. He ran well enough on his only start over this 7f trip at Newcastle last season.
Starlight Circus
They’ve tried her in two different sets of headgear on her last two starts and they retain the cheekpieces that she wore when an okay fourth of five at Yarmouth last time. She has been dropped 2lb for it and Marco tries her over 1m6f for the first time. Hopefully, the High Chaparral stamina influence will come to the fore and she is a half-sister to a 1m4f winner at least.
Cryptonite
He makes a quick reappearance after winning at Bath last Saturday. He went up 4lb for that narrow success but he has run well off this kind of mark in the past and, if he runs his race, then hopefully he won’t be too far away.
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