15:45 Ascot

Wednesday 3 May 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 1m 11.05s

(9)

Harry Angel²²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 110

7/2

With just two races under his belt as a juvenile it's hard to totally know what to expect from him here. However the potential is there as he was second over 5f here on his debut and returned from a break to take the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, stepping up to 6f. Will no doubt prove best at sprint trips and remains an exciting prospect.

Form: 21-

(6)

Blue Point²⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 116

13/8

Had a very good year as a two-year-old winning three of his six starts all over 6f, the last of which was the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes. Not disgraced in Group 1 races after that and was placed twice but he looks every inch a sprinter.

Form: 112123-

(11)

Legendary Lunch²²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 105

50/1

Turned into a useful performer as a juvenile but still has something to find at this level with his best win coming in an Epsom Listed contest over 6f. He actually bettered that win with his runner-up effort at Doncaster in the Flying Childers over 5f (Group 2) before disappointing on his final start.

Form: 216726-

(1)

Mokarris²²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 107

7/1

Dual winner as a juvenile picking up a Listed race at Newbury over 6f after disappointing when priced at single figures for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Decent efforts in the Gimcrack and Middle Park after that Newbury win but has work to do with Blue Point based on those two runs.

Form: 10126-

(4)

Mubtasim²²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Cosgrave| T: W J Haggas| OR: 101

10/1

Looks to be a question of being in the right grade for this one, as he won three from five as a juvenile but all those races were below this level. Beaten a long way in both his starts at Group level and likely to once again find this too tough.

Form: 11819-3

(10)

Seven Heavens¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107

7/1

Hard to fault on his first two starts winning the first over C&D when favourite and followed up easily in a match over 7f at Goodwood. Life got a little tougher after that, beaten in the Dewhurst when racing too free. Similar story again first outing this season again over 7f and needs to learn how to settle better but drop back in trip could help.

Form: 117-37

(2)

Sir Dancealot¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 108

16/1

Progressed well as a two-year-old with his peak performance coming at York in October in the Listed Rockingham Stakes over 6f. Stepped up to a mile in the Racing Post Trophy but despite travelling well, looked as though he failed to stay that trip. Returned this year over 7f and once again looked as though a return to sprinting was needed and he could still make up into a good horse back over 6f.

Form: 1316-56

(7)

Tis Marvellous^t²³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: C G Cox| OR: 110

25/1

His last two starts were poor in Group 1/2 company, the last when starting favourite for the Flying Childers at Doncaster over 5f but may well have been over the top by that stage of the season. Previous form would give him a chance in this race, particularly his win in France in a Group 2 in July having previously won a maiden at Windsor on his second start.

Form: 21159-

(5)

Yalta²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 106

20/1

Can be hit-and-miss and that trait was exemplified by his return to form when slamming eight rivals in the 5f Group 3 Molecomb Stakes over 5f. Never repeated that form in three runs after that, all over 5f and now back to a trip over which he won his first two races. Yard not unknown for big priced winners at this level, but does have to get back to his Goodwood form to take a hand.

Form: 881006-

(12)

Rosie Briar¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 96

33/1

The one filly in the field she did take a big leap forward in form when winning a Doncaster Listed race over 6f in October. That run showed that she had a progressive profile and having blown her handicap mark in that last win she is rather forced to take a shot at this level.

Form: 411-

Non-Runners

(8)

Koropick²⁰¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: H Palmer J: Josephine Gordon

(3)

Visionary¹⁹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: R M H Cowell J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Blue Point (13/8), Harry Angel (7/2), Seven Heavens (7/1), Mokarris (7/1), Mubtasim (10/1), Sir Dancealot (16/1), Visionary (16/1), Yalta (20/1), Tis Marvellous (25/1), Rosie Briar (33/1), Legendary Lunch (50/1), Koropick (50/1)

This very much looks as though it will provide a good trial race for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, a race that has provided some focus for the enhanced three-year-old sprinting programme. Harry Angel looks to be a very progressive type although it’s hard to know what to expect after his Mill Reef win but the consequence of that win is that he has to concede weight all round. The Charlie Appleby yard have made a good start to the season and BLUE POINT who looks every inch a sprinter can build on his impressive Gimcrack win. Sir Dancealot is a fascinating runner going sprinting again while Mokarris, Tis Marvellous and Seven Heavens (if he settles) provide depth in a well rounded and hot contest.