sunbets.co.uk Midsummer Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 43.92s

(3)

Steel of Madrid³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 113

7/1

Drops back to this trip for the first time in 14 months and has yet to win over it. Largely campaigned at 1m2f-1m4f since then, although won the Group Three Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in April, for which he is penalised here. Would prefer good to firm to be at his best, but still has solid claims.

Form: 6557-13

(4)

Here Comes When^h⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 110| D

3/1

Loves to get his toe in, so connections will be hoping for some pre-race rain to slow the ground. Former Group Two scorer who was last seen winning in this grade at York (1m, good to soft) last month. Weighted to go close once again here and very likely to do so.

Form: 65104-1

(2)

Morando²⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 104| BF| CD

11/4

Gelded since he was last seen in October. Made good strides during his three-year-old campaign, winning a competitive Ayr handicap (1m, good to soft) on route. Just as effective on good ground and well worth a crack at this level, though will need further improvement to win it.

Form: 41117-

(1)

So Beloved²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 108| D

12/1

Former Group Three winner who has returned in good form this season, making the frame in successive Listed / Group Three contests at Haydock over 7f. Has specialised at that trip, although does have a dead-heat win over 1m to his name and no reason why he can't make a big impact once again.

Form: 430-533

(5)

Stormy Antarctic^b⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: E Walker| OR: 114| D

6/4

Without a win since landing last year's Group Three Craven Stakes (1m, good to soft), but was runner-up in the Group One Prix Jean Prat (1m, good) later last season and proved his wellbeing this time around when a short head second in Listed company at Doncaster in April. Last seen in a Group One in Sha Tin and has strong claims back at this level.

Form: 0276-25

Forecasts

Stormy Antarctic (6/4), Morando (11/4), Here Comes When (3/1), Steel of Madrid (7/1), So Beloved (12/1)

Here Comes When looks sure to give a very good account once again and will be tough to beat here. He will act on this surface, but to have his best chance he wants some rain and preference is for STORMY ATLANTIC, who would also appreciate some cut but is better off at the weights today and has shown that he has trained on. So Beloved and Steel Of Madrid are both interesting, one stepping up in trip, while the latter ideally wants a bit further, while continued improvement from Morando would see him in the mix.