15:00 Newmarket

Thursday 20 April 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 10.19s

(6)

Aeolus¹⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: E Walker| OR: 104

6/1

Not won since 2015 but finished a nose second to Growl when just caught in the closing stages at Doncaster towards the end of last year. Not without market support on the AW at Lingfield on final start but finished sixth of 12. Will arguably need a career best to win this.

Form: 04926-6

(4)

Brando¹⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 116

1/1

Highly progressive last season with the highlight coming when landing the Ayr Gold Cup in September. Followed that up with an excellent third behind The Tin Man at Ascot on Champions Day. Has won fresh twice in his career but the concern would be his very best form has come with cut in the ground. Leading player nonetheless.

Form: 12913-1

(5)

Ornate²⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 104

9/1

Just one win from 12 starts and doesn't look like the most straightforward character so understandable that he's been gelded. Trainer does well with his sprinters so he may be able to find more improvement but others hold more appeal.

Form: 65222-2

(1)

Windfast²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: B J Meehan| OR: 109

5/1

Done most of his racing over 7f to a high level but ended last season with a fine win over C&D on good to firm ground and is still unexposed over this trip so could well be more to come. Leading player if ready to go after a longer absence than the rest of the field.

Form: 0/8331-3

(2)

Kassia¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: M R Channon| OR: 100

6/1

Progressive sort well suited to fast ground and won over C&D at the end of last season despite missing the break. Trainer started the season well and he does well with his fillies so every chance there's more to come but this looks by far her toughest test yet.

Form: 11211-4

(7)

Mayfair Lady¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 100

16/1

Won a York handicap on seasonal reappearance last year but struggled in Group/Listed company including a C&D run. Showed very little in some end of season handicaps and she's likely to be out of her depth in this line up.

Form: 66740-5

Non-Runners

(3)

Tasleet¹⁹⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

Brando (1/1), Windfast (5/1), Kassia (6/1), Aeolus (6/1), Tasleet (6/1), Ornate (9/1), Mayfair Lady (16/1)

Brando is clear on official ratings and clearly has the best form in the book but there's a chance he won't be quite as effective on faster ground so a chance is taken on TASLEET who is proven at Group 3 level and looks capable of bouncing back this campaign after a quiet 2016. Kassia and Windfast make up the shortlist; the former was a revelation returned to this trip after a sustained spell over further while the latter looks progressive and has C&D for in the book.