Gladness Stakes (group 3)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 1m 30.05s

(2)

Gordon Lord Byron¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Wayne Lordan| T: T Hogan| OR: 103

16/1

Three time Group 1 winner in the past including over this distance. Put a couple of moderate efforts in Dubai behind him when finishing runner-up in a conditions event at Dundalk over 6f last time out and likely to run his race once more.

Form: 86-9925

(5)

Alice Springs¹⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118

6/4

Successful three times in Group 1 company in 2016 including in the Sun Chariot Stakes on her penultimate outing. Subsequently finished well beaten in the Breeders Cup Mile at Santa Anita and while she would probably prefer better ground than is forecast here she's likely to prove very hard to beat.

Form: 18110-2

(3)

Blue De Vega¹⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Smullen| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 105

2/1

Impressive winner of a maiden event here as a juvenile and followed up with a Group race success next time out. Failed to win in 2016 but was Group 1 placed and ground conditions should not be an issue for him.

Form: 1/2372-3

(1)

Smash Williams³¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 105

13/2

Winner of his first two starts in 2015 including in a Group 3 event at The Curragh. Had just one outing last year when fifth in a Group 3 over 6f here and an interesting runner upped to 7f for the first time.

Form: 113/5-48

(4)

Diamond Fields²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 106

9/2

Finished runner-up on soft ground in a valuable handicap at Royal Ascot last June. Three subsequent outings were all in the USA including when finishing runner-up over 1m1f on firm ground in a Grade 2 contest in September. Likely to be fit for her return to action today.

Form: 2832-16

Forecasts

Alice Springs (6/4), Blue De Vega (2/1), Diamond Fields (9/2), Smash Williams (13/2), Gordon Lord Byron (16/1)

DIAMOND FIELDS can upset some better fancied rivals by taking this competitive Group 3 event. The selection ran well in a couple of Graded events late last year in New York and can get the better of likely favourite Alice Springs who may find underfoot conditions against her on seasonal debut. The veteran Gordon Lord Byron is likely to run well once more while both Blue De Vega and Smash Williams are both open to improvement here.