It’s Listed and Group race action all the way on Sunday with some fantastic European action. Here are the main contenders with ratings for the top races:
2.45 Deauville – Prix Maurice de Gheest, 6 ½f Group 1
Brando
Conditions should be ideal for last year’s Ayr Gold Cup winner and recent July Cup third, though his consistency also shows a ceiling in his ability.
Signs Of Blessing
Beat Profitable here in a very good Group 3 in May but that was over 5f and this will take much more getting.
Magical Memory
After Battaash’s display at Goodwood on Friday, Charlie Hills must be licking his lips at the prospect of having a pair of Group One sprinters in the yard. Won the Hackwood well last time and can improve.
Rosa Imperial
Another Pivotal offspring who should do well in these conditions. Lightly raced with tons of potential, she did well to win her Group 3 last time out and will have learned plenty.
Caravaggio
The big chap may think this is far enough to travel, but his class and ability are not for questioning and despite a below-par showing at Newmarket he can given them all a beating.
126 Caravaggio
118 Signs Of Blessing
118 Rosa Imperial
117 Magical Memory
116 Brando
Summary
Given the potential ratings they can all run to, CARAVAGGIO has some room to manoeuvre here and could represent another good bit of placing for the O’Brien team. Signs Of Blessing and Rosa Imperial look good for places.
2.55 Dusseldorf – Henkel-Preis der Diana (German Oaks), 1m3f 3yo Fillies Group 1
Although the ground is still not exactly the way she wants it and I have no idea what sort of price she will go off at, the presence of WUHEIDA here is the standout piece of info by far.
Godolphin’s Prix Marcel Boussac winner made a belated but pleasing seasonal reappearance at Newmarket’s July meeting and the form of her Falmouth Stakes second is now looking bombproof. Tusked Wings, Well Spoken and Lacazar look best of the remainder.
3.23 Deauville – Prix de Pomone, 1m 4½f Fillies & Mares Group 2
Bateel
Went to England and won nicely last time out in a career best showing. Conditions are spot on here for another big show from this improving mare.
Abingdon
Stoute and Moore are in rich form just now and the trainer doesn’t send one to France just for a day trip. An improved showing is on the cards and it could be one that marks her out as a future Group 1 performer.
The Juliet Rose
Improving slowly but surely over this distance and makes a belated seasonal return here. A class horse but may need the run.
114 Abingdon
112 Bateel
112 The Juliet Rose
Summary
Not much between three of them here, but Sir Michael Stoute knows his way around, as does Ryan Moore and the partnership could come back victorious thanks to ABINGDON.
4.15 Chester – Queensferry Stakes, 6f Listed Race
Cotai Glory
The Hills family have always done well at Chester and Charlie is going great guns with sprinters just now. This one has been going over 5f but has a good draw and may take advantage.
Judicial
Another 5f specialist in truth but nevertheless one who can go well here.
Kimberella
The 7yo has been on his travels this year but is back on familiar turf now with a Group 3 third at Newcastle his standout run of the season.
Mr Lupton
Running OK in pattern company of late and not one to take lightly, a better draw would have been nice to see though.
Perfect Angel
Andrew Balding’s representative is a three-year-old and a steep improver and that is a dangerous combo. She was just in behind Magical Memory last time who contests the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and on that basis alone must have a huge chance. Conditions ripe for a big run.
115 Perfect Angel
114 Cotai Glory
112 Kimberella
107 Mr Lupton
105 Judicial
Summary
I’m banking on some big improvement here but it may well come from PERFECT ANGEL and she is taken to land the odds. Cotai Glory may well fend off the others for place money.