Bathwick Tyres Conditions Stakes

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 1m 19.61s

(4)

Nine Below Zero^b1⁸²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett| OR: 88| BF| C

4/1

Winner of a couple of novice contests over 5f here and at Windsor in early summer, outclassed since in Ascot Group 2 and York handicap, both over the minimum. Better suited in this company, but 6f on testing ground will be a new test of stamina.

Form: 1108

(5)

Algam³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 87

9/4

Has twice gone well with give in the ground, including when landing Leicester maiden over 7f in August. Attempted to make all next time over 1m on AW at Chelmsford and settled for second. Should be competitive in this line-up.

Form: 2612

(3)

Thechildren'strust⁶⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| D

9/4

Only had one outing so far and that came at Goodwood when he won over 6f (good) having started at 100/1 (Algam back in sixth). Form from that race is mixed, but the chances are this will be harder and must prove himself on testing surface.

Form: 1

(2)

Helvetian²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M R Channon| OR: 91| D

9/2

Won a maiden at Bath (5½f, good to soft), highly-tried next time in a Group 1 at the Curragh before running fair race in Listed company over 6f at Ripon. Will appreciate competing on these terms now and sets the standard.

Form: 918400

(1)

Mr Top Hat¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: P D Evans

15/2

Helmet colt has twice gone close in maidens at Windsor and Newbury (both 6f) either side of a 102-day break. Receiving weight all round but this is tougher and was poor on debut at Newbury on soft ground.

Form: 023

Forecasts

Algam (9/4), Thechildren'strust (9/4), Nine Below Zero (4/1), Helvetian (9/2), Mr Top Hat (15/2)

A case can be made for any of the five in truth but HELVETIAN just about sets the standard. A maiden winner at Bath, he was then tried in Group 1 company but has since run a decent race in Listed class at Ripon, form that gives him fair claims now. Algam has already displayed the ability to go well with cut in the ground and is on the up despite failing in a bid to make all over 1m on the AW latest while once-raced Goodwood maiden winner Thechildren'strust is respected but faces vastly different ground now. Nine Below Zero steps up in trip and must prove stamina, while the ground may not suit Mr Top Hat.