sportingbet.com Huxley Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 10.22s

(4)

Deauville^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

6/4

Hit and miss performer but entered in a host of Group 1s throughout the season and highly regarded by connections. Came on for his run at Meydan with a fair effort in a Group 3 at Sandown last time. Effective from just off the pace but this track will pose a different question and interesting to see how he copes with the unique nature of the course.

Form: 2013-72

(2)

Folkswood^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 113

10/3

Narrowly denied in a Group 1 contest on Super Saturday at Meydan and won a valuable handicap at that course earlier in the season. Consistent sort who looks to still be improving and will enjoy the ground provided the rain the stays away but this track will be a new test for him.

Form: 32-2122

(3)

Gabrial¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 113

16/1

Won on his debut at this course over 5f and has run well in defeat here since then. Uncomplicated sort who put in his best effort for a while in a Sandown Group 2 last time. Should give another good account but likely to find a couple too good on level weights with this field.

Form: 9-91042

(5)

Poet's Word²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111

4/1

Easy winner at Chelmsford last time and had some useful form in the book last year. Will find the step up to Group company tougher and wouldn't want any rain to arrive but trainer has started the season in fine form and this trainer/jockey combination won this last year with Cannock Chase.

Form: 31412-1

(6)

Royal Artillery^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114

5/1

A little disappointing last time out but may have needed that run and he rates as the type to go on improving this year. Proven in Group company, should like the ground provided the rain stays away and trainer and jockey had a winner here Wednesday.

Form: 1/4513-4

(1)

Snoano³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 102

25/1

Fair winner of a Pontefract handicap last month but step up to Group class looks a little ambitious and he's the likely outsider of this field. Is one of the few that would enjoy any rain that arrived but he is still hard to fancy even with his optimum conditions.

Form: 0518-15

Forecasts

Deauville (6/4), Folkswood (10/3), Poet's Word (4/1), Royal Artillery (5/1), Gabrial (16/1), Snoano (25/1)

ROYAL ARTILLERY appeared to need the run at Sandown on his reappearance and he's expected to be seen in a better light here. Folkswood is an improving, uncomplicated sort who went close in a Group 1 in Meydan over the winter and looks capable at this level while Deauville has some lofty targets this summer and he would want to be going close in this affair to justify some of those entries. Poet's Word completes the shortlist, but he may find this step up in class a little tough.