15:35 Haydock

Saturday 9 September 2017

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

32Red Mile (Registered As The Superior Mile Stakes) (Group 3)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 1m 45.93s

(5)

Sovereign Debt¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 114| D

12/1

Already a Group 2 winner this season and carries a penalty for that. Followed up at this level at Epsom next time and was not disgraced at York last time. Others are better placed at the weights here but he acts with cut and should be competitive.

Form: 311153

(7)

Ballet Concerto²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111| D

8/1

Class act who won the John Smith's Cup at York before dropping back to score over this trip in a Salisbury Group 3 last time. Does not look to have stopped improving and should be in the shake-up once again.

Form: 156411

(4)

Flaming Spear¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R Winston| T: K A Ryan| OR: 107| D

9/2

Has won three of his last four over 7f/1m and it was the latter trip over which he won at York (good to soft) last month. That was a career best, but he is improving and it looks well worth giving him a try at this level. Contender.

Form: 001-191

(2)

Kaspersky²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 113| D

14/1

A multiple winner over this trip when trained in Italy and acts with cut in the ground. Yet to record his first British success but not disgraced in Ascot's Group 2 Summer Mile in July and looks at least to have each-way claims.

Form: 7-52527

(8)

Mitchum Swagger^p³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Queally| T: D R Lanigan| OR: 106| CD

8/1

Was winning for the first time in almost two years when taking a Thirsk conditions event last time (7f, good to soft). Also has a soft ground C&D win to his name from 2015 and was runner-up in this last year. Claims if now rejuvenated.

Form: 05-5741

(9)

Morando²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Varian| OR: 113| BF| D

9/2

Well placed to win four of his seven starts, including Windsor's Listed Midsummer Stakes (good to soft) on his reappearance in July. Beaten just over 2L, although never threatened to win, in a Leopardstown Group 3 last time. Major player.

Form: 1117-14

(6)

Victory Bond^b1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: W J Haggas| OR: 107

8/1

No disgrace in his 3L third in the Group 2 York Stakes in July. Has a 3lb pull with Ballet Concerto for a 2¾L defeat in the John Smith's Cup and interesting now blinkered this shorter trip on ground that suits.

Form: 64-3748

(3)

Benbatl^t⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: William Carson| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 114

3/1

Dante runner-up (on good to soft) and a 3½L fifth in the Derby, he recorded his first Group 3 success (1m2f, good to firm) at Royal Ascot. Didn't get home in the King George last time, but a class act and a major player now dropped in grade/trip.

Form: 132515

(10)

Rusumaat¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| CD

18/1

Won a decent handicap over C&D (firm) in May and handled soft ground well when scoring over 7f at Newbury in July. Well beaten on both tries in Group company so far and has to prove he is worth his place here.

Form: 210710

Non-Runners

(1)

You're Fired¹⁶¹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 6

T: K R Burke J: B A Curtis

Forecasts

Benbatl (3/1), Morando (9/2), Flaming Spear (9/2), Ballet Concerto (8/1), Mitchum Swagger (8/1), Victory Bond (8/1), Sovereign Debt (12/1), Kaspersky (14/1), Rusumaat (18/1), You're Fired (25/1)

Sovereign Debt is proven at this level and despite not being as well in as some at these weights, he should give another good account with the ground to suit him. However, preference is for BENBATL. The Godolphin runner is dropped in grade here and also back in trip, while he has a few pounds in hand on official ratings. He handles these conditions and if he can make it in to a test then few will be able to live with him in the closing stages. Morando continues to improve and along with Flaming Spear and Ballet Concerto and any of that trio could have a say in the outcome. Kaspersky can't be ruled out, while last year's runner-up Mitchum Swagger could be in the mix again.