16:20 Salisbury

Thursday 17 August 2017

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:25

totepool Sovereign Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 1m 42.49s

(2)

Ballet Concerto³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 105| D

5/2

Stayed on in good style to win a major handicap at York (1m2½f) last time. Drops back in trip and his last effort in Group 3 company saw him well held at Epsom in June when, admittedly, he suffered interference in running. Respected, but drop in trip a concern given his last performance was probably his best.

Form: 2-15641

(5)

Carry On Deryck³¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: William Carson| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 109| D

6/1

Ran a fine race to finish second of 31 in the Cambridgeshire in the autumn and probably ran to that level of form when runner-up over the same C&D in a Group 3 contest on his final start last season. Has not run since so has plenty to do against race-fit and, in some cases, progressive rivals.

Form: 190622-

(7)

Firmament¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: D O'Meara| OR: 109| D

11/2

Enjoyed a fruitful 2016 campaign, winning three handicaps, but has not been able to add to those successes this term off higher marks. Stable has started to hit form and he is in the mix on official ratings.

Form: 3-32565

(4)

Master The World^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 108| D

9/2

Benefited from a good draw and fine ride when winning a valuable handicap at Goodwood and is closely matched with Ballard Down on his previous run at Newmarket. Has to prove he is up to this level, but it is certainly worth a shot.

Form: 745821

(1)

Tabarrak³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 111| D

2/1

Progressive last year and returned to action with a good second in a decent handicap at Newmarket before winning a Listed event at Ascot. Has found it tougher in a couple of big handicaps since then, but had plenty to do off big weights in both and is better suited to the conditions of this race.

Form: 21-2159

(6)

Isomer⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Liam Keniry| T: A M Balding| OR: 99| C

33/1

Lightly-raced colt whose only win came in a 7f maiden at this course in July, last year, before he ran respectably in a Group 2 contest at Goodwood. Well beaten on his only run this season at Sandown, so has plenty to prove.

Form: 2216-7

Non-Runners

(3)

Ballard Down²⁶

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: W J Knight J: Harry Bentley

(8)

Hathal¹⁹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: W J Haggas J: L Dettori

Forecasts

Tabarrak (2/1), Ballet Concerto (5/2), Hathal (3/1), Master The World (9/2), Firmament (11/2), Carry On Deryck (6/1), Ballard Down (12/1), Isomer (33/1)

If Carry On Deryck is match-fit, he is entitled to go close, but the perecentage call is HATHAL, who ran well in Group 2 company last time and should take some beating if replicating that effort. Ballard Down should not be underestimated, while Firmament and Tabarrak are likely to be thereabouts if performing to their ratings. Ballet Concerto might find the trip on the sharp side.