John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 3m 0.79s

(2)

Barsanti²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 116| C

1/1

Runner-up in this race last year and has two 1m4f wins to his name at the venue. Conditions not a problem and he comes here in great form after being a ½L runner-up in the Hardwicke Stakes (Group Two) last time. Looks the one to beat.

Form: 3212-32

(7)

Clever Cookie^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: G Lee| T: P D Niven| OR: 108| CD

14/1

Last year's Yorkshire Cup success here was his most recent and he has not looked as good this term. Not disgraced when a 4L ninth in the Northumberland Plate last time, but recent evidence suggests that he will be found wanting again today.

Form: 757-699

(5)

High Jinx⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 111

8/1

Group One winner when with James Fanshawe, but has had his problems which have meant just one run in the past two years. However, that was some effort to return with a ½L third in the Yorkshire Cup in May. Has gone back up 9lb for it, but if he doesn't suffer the dreaded 'bounce' factor then he must have claims.

Form: 13124/3

(1)

Platitude¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 107| D

8/1

Won the Listed March Stakes over this trip (good to firm) at Goodwood last season and had a nice pipe-opener for this at Newmarket recently. The return to this trip and fast ground looks positive and he should not be far away.

Form: 22813-5

(4)

Rare Rhythm²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 105

9/4

Has been well placed to win three of his six starts, including Royal Ascot's Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at 20-1 on his reappearance. Stayed on strongly there, so this extra 2f looks well within range and if any of this field is going to make significant improvement today then he looks more likely than most.

Form: 8171/8-1

Non-Runners

(6)

Nakeeta³⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: I Jardine J: P Mulrennan

(3)

Saigon City⁵⁷

Weight: 9-6| Age: 7

T: D Carroll J: P Cosgrave

Forecasts

Barsanti (1/1), Rare Rhythm (9/4), Platitude (8/1), High Jinx (8/1), Clever Cookie (14/1), Nakeeta (14/1), Saigon City (25/1)

High Jinx ran really well after a lengthy absence when reappearing here in May. He should be able to build on that today and is not ruled out. Rare Rhythm ran a blinder at Royal Ascot and should be a serious player again, now that he is stepped up further in trip. However, BARSANTI also ran a cracker at the Royal meeting and he has got plenty going for him too, so he gets the vote. Platitude looks best of the rest.