15:00 Newmarket

Friday 13 October 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:04 | Winning time: 1m 22.24s

(1)

Gordon Lord Byron¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: T Hogan| OR: 110| D

66/1

Two-time Group 1 winner who showed he retained a large chunk of ability when winning a Group 2 at the Curragh earlier in the year but more miss than hit these days and likely to struggle carrying a penalty against younger, less exposed rivals.

Form: 243766

(8)

Massaat³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 116| D

11/2

2016 2,000 Guineas runner-up who got back on track with a win in Group 2 company at Newbury in August. Ran to a similar level when behind Ribchester in a Chantilly Group 1 last time but a 3lb penalty isn't ideal despite the drop back down in class.

Form: 2/297-13

(5)

Absolutely So¹²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 108| D

33/1

Clearly thriving at present and built on a close second in Listed company at Haydock with a win in Group 3 back at that course last time. This is much tougher though and he has an absence to overcome; others preferred.

Form: 35-0421

(10)

Cougar Mountain^p,t⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| C

16/1

Won a Group 2 over the mile here last year but not won since and largely disappointing this campaign. Well beaten in Listed company earlier in the week at Navan and hard to fancy at present. Wants fast ground to be seen at his best.

Form: 752548

(11)

Dutch Connection²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: C Hills| OR: 128| D

15/2

Well beaten sixth of 12 in a Group 1 at Woodbine last time but this is more realistic and he won a Group 3 at Goodwood when last seen on these shores. Seen to best effect on fast ground and he'll appreciate this drop back in trip; each-way claims.

Form: 60-6616

(3)

Gifted Master^b⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: H Palmer| OR: 109| CD

9/1

C&D winner and two-time Group 3 winner. Back to form with a pair of wins in August, including a Listed race on the July course last time over 6f and he's dangerous when allowed to dominate from the front. Tends to struggle when in this deep though.

Form: 9-49711

(9)

Limato⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 115| BF| D

6/4

Dual Group 1 winner including the Darley July Cup here (6f) and placed five more times at Group 1 level. Beaten over this trip in a Group 2 last time and there's a niggling suspicion he's better over shorter but class may see him through regardless.

Form: 16-0324

(2)

True Valour³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 109| D

25/1

Career best when runner-up to subsequent Group 1 winner last time over the mile and took a while to get going that day so there's a suspicion this drop back in trip may not be ideal. Still improving so can't be ruled out if he doesn't get outpaced.

Form: 338192

(6)

Mix And Mingle⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ted Durcan| T: C F Wall| OR: 110| CD

25/1

Two-time C&D winner who started the season in fine form with the latter of those wins and followed up in a Group 3 at Lingfield the next time. Well beaten on both subsequent starts though and questions to answer now; career best needed.

Form: 40-1100

(7)

Dabyah¹¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112| D

6/1

Maiden winner on July course and ended her juvenile campaign with a placed effort in a French Group 1. Returned with a Group 3 win but disappointing at Royal Ascot last time. Given time to recover and likely to be more to come for a yard in form.

Form: 113-14

(4)

Rehana⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: C O'Donoghue| T: M Halford| OR: 104| D

33/1

Won a Group 3 earlier in the year on fast ground at Naas but disappointing in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Placed in Listed company last time out but plenty more needed here.

Form: 44-31D3

Forecasts

Limato (6/4), Massaat (11/2), Dabyah (6/1), Dutch Connection (15/2), Gifted Master (9/1), Cougar Mountain (16/1), Mix And Mingle (25/1), True Valour (25/1), Rehana (33/1), Absolutely So (33/1), Gordon Lord Byron (66/1)

LIMATO wasn't at his best when last seen at Goodwood but his prior efforts in Group 1 company give him leading claims here, even if he's a little better over 6f. Massaat wasn't disgraced in a Group 1 last time but conceding a penalty to these rivals may be a tough ask. Dabyah was a shade disappointing last time out but she's been given time to recover from that effort and may do better while Dutch Connection will appreciate this drop in class and is in with an each-way chance.