19:55 Kempton

Wednesday 11 October 2017

All17:2017:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:2520:55

ebfstallions.com Conditions Stakes

Off time: 19:56 | Winning time: 1m 11.23s

(8)

Top Score^v³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 103| D

13/2

Winner of two races on turf at Meydan this year but less effective there on the artificial surface. Recent form does not bode well for his prospects and a tendency to dwell at the start adds to the negatives.

Form: 076000

(4)

Solomon's Bay³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 105

9/4

Winner of a Listed event at Epsom during Derby week. Just below that level since but he did look a difficult customer last time.

Form: 041043

(1)

Out Do^v⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| CD

11/2

Wokingham winner who is 2-2 around here. Current mark may flatter him but still leaves him as one of the more likely types in this for last year's winning stable.

Form: 304180

(2)

Blue De Vega¹³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 105

4/1

Placed in the 2016 Irish 2000 Guineas and third in a Group Three subsequently on his seasonal reappearance. Last of six when last seen and now moved to Robert Cowell in a move which suggests he had lost his way. Handles this surface.

Form: 2372-36

(3)

Calvados Spirit²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 89

14/1

Handicap mark has been testing him since a Wolverhampton victory in April. Faces a stiff task on these terms if any of his rivals run to form.

Form: 804338

(6)

Dougan²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Fran Berry| T: P D Evans| OR: 97| CD

5/1

Has been running well over shorter on turf lately but holds an impressive 6-14 record on AW tracks including two here. Generally peaks at this time of year and a leading contender here with the allowances making him competitive.

Form: 296583

(7)

Verne Castle^h³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 97

20/1

Hit a purple patch in which he went 5-6 in a six month period from August 2016. Has performed with credit in good company since but requires even more here.

Form: 360040

(5)

Coronation Day⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: J Tate| OR: 88| C| D

20/1

Useful filly with a 4-13 strike rate. Off the track six weeks since her last run and looks out of her depth based on BHA ratings.

Form: 1-24014

Forecasts

Solomon's Bay (9/4), Blue De Vega (4/1), Dougan (5/1), Out Do (11/2), Top Score (13/2), Calvados Spirit (14/1), Coronation Day (20/1), Verne Castle (20/1)

The three-year-olds Top Score and Solomon's Bay face difficult tasks in conceding weight to older horses here who look more straightforward. The Wokingham winner OUT DO is unbeaten here and arrives fresh from a break having struggled in the Great St Wilfrid last time. His yard took this last year and he is taken to bounce back. Market support for Blue De Vega would make him more interesting given the balance of his form prior to a poor effort last time. He is in good hands and the market will be an indicator of his prospects. Dougan has a bit to find at the weights but this is more his trip and he has an excellent AW record. He should reach a place at least.