Tony McFadden provides an overview of the key things to note on Saturday.
Vincenzo Peruggia bidding to enhance yard's excellent record
The Johnston stable has won the last four editions of the Royal Mile Handicap (13:25) at Musselburgh, so the stable's runner this year, Vincenzo Peruggia, deserves plenty of respect.
In addition to representing the yard that has dominated the race in recent seasons, Vincenzo Peruggia also catches the eye as he's the only runner in the line-up with the Timeform 'small p' to denote that further improvement is expected.
Vincenzo Peruggia cost 550,000 guineas as a yearling and showed promise as a juvenile, finishing third on his debut at Hamilton before comfortably landing a Beverley novice. He then failed to beat a rival when upped markedly in class in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, but it's easy enough to overlook that effort as he seemed unsuited by the track and probably found such a tough assignment coming too soon in his development in any case.
Described by Timeform as a lengthy colt with scope, Vincenzo Peruggio appeals as one who could step up significantly on what he showed as a juvenile.
Bucanero Fuerte bids to enhance his good record when fresh
Fitness has to be taken on trust to an extent at this very early stage of the season, but Bucanero Fuerte's superb record when fresh offers encouragement he'll be ready to do himself justice in the listed Cork Stakes (16:02).
Bucanero Fuerte won on his debut in 2023 - in the opening juvenile race of the campaign - and he has also won on his return for the past two years, landing the Group 3 Lacken Stakes in 2024 and the listed Sole Power Stakes last season.
Bucanero Fuerte backed up that victory in the Sole Power Stakes by also winning the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh, running to the same smart level he had shown when successful in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes as a juvenile.
He was beaten in top company on his final couple of starts last year, finishing third in the Flying Five Stakes and seventh in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, but takes a drop in class into listed level on his return and stands out as the one to beat. He heads Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings by 4 lb from King Cuan, who in turn is 6 lb clear of the next few in the pecking order.
Brookside La should appreciate step up to three miles
Brookside La made no impact in maiden and novice hurdles but proved a different proposition on his handicap debut at Wetherby where he came out on despite being held up in a race run at a steady gallop.
Brookside La then backed up that positive impression, despite being found wanting for a bit of pace when it mattered, when finishing third in a competitive and big-field handicap at Haydock that has proved a solid piece of form.
He shaped well enough, though, to earn the Horse In Focus Flag, marking him out as one likely to be of firm interest next time, with Timeform's reporter noting he's 'open to further improvement and one to keep on right side, particularly as his stamina is drawn out further (will stay 3m)'.
Brookside La duly steps up from an extended 21 furlongs to three miles at Haydock on Saturday (16:38) and, given he still has the Timeform 'small p', is deemed likely to progress again for the Dan Skelton stable that is firmly among the winners.
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