Tennent's British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 17:24 | Winning time: 2m 8.25s

(2)

Elm Grove²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 77| D

11/1

On official ratings connections are tilting at windmills here as she is only rated 77. Comes here on the back of a career best effort at Clonmel winning a handicap in fine style but much more needed to take a hand.

Form: 329-141

(1)

Maleficent Queen²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 105| CD

11/2

Winner of this race last year (beat More Mischief) when the race was run on soft ground and highly tried after that win (which was her last) in Listed and Group races often over further. Ran a respectable race last time over 2m at Ascot and this trip could be a little sharp for her.

Form: 498-524

(3)

Nezwaah²²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 108| D

1/2

Developed into a smart filly in 2016 with three AW wins the last in Listed company on the Tapeta at Newcastle over 1m2f. Slightly found out in Group class races but at this level a very useful filly who has run well when fresh before and has a leading chance.

Form: 131527-

(4)

Pure Art²²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: R M Beckett| OR: 99| D

6/1

Maiden and handicap winner last year when she looked a progressive sort ending the season with a good third in a Listed contest at Newmarket in October. May just have a little more to find with the principals though based on the official rating marks.

Form: 224173-

(5)

Sophie P¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: R M Smith| OR: 89| C

20/1

On an upward curve in handicaps last year and continued on that path when winning a handicap here over a mile last time out, beating Nicholas T, who runs earlier on the card. Bare rating gives her plenty to do at the weights, however a place may well be the best that she can hope for.

Form: 62124-1

Non-Runners

(6)

More Mischief²⁶¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: Jedd O'Keeffe J: G Lee

Forecasts

Nezwaah (1/2), Maleficent Queen (11/2), Pure Art (6/1), More Mischief (7/1), Elm Grove (11/1), Sophie P (20/1)

NEZWAAH looks a tough nut to crack here at the weights and could well make the long journey from Newmarket worthwhile, given that she already holds a verdict over the consistent More Mischief. She in turn has to reverse last year’s form with year’s winner Maleficent Queen who may well be better suited by longer trips these days. The other three in the field would have to improve a fair bit to win this with perhaps Pure Artbeing the one who has the most chance of doing that.