14:15 Newbury

Saturday 28 October 2017

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:3017:05

Worthington's 'Indigo Leisure' Stakes (Group 3) (Registered As The St Simon Stakes)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 2m 40.68s

(6)

Danehill Kodiac²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 112| D

11/1

Excellent display on latest start when beating French Derby runner-up Waldgeist at Ascot. Had earlier finished runner-up to a progressive handicapper who has won again since so commands plenty of respect.

Form: 23-1421

(5)

Western Hymn^b1⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108| C| D

12/1

Talented on his day as he showed when winning the Ormonde Stakes at Chester on his reappearance. Well beaten in the Irish St Leger last time, but he may well be capable of bouncing back in first-time blinkers on ground he handles.

Form: 51-1740

(8)

Across The Stars³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Ted Durcan| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 105| D

33/1

Looked a good prospect last year, but has not gone on this time and a gelding operation has not produced any real improvement. Needs to stage a revival.

Form: 3-58827

(9)

Ayrad^b²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 109| D

25/1

Has been held in Listed and Group 3 company this season and it was only a four-runner handicap he won at Salisbury last time. Others look stronger.

Form: 6-55941

(4)

Frontiersman^b²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 117| C| D

9/2

Talented performer who finished second in the Coronation Cup in June and won a Listed race at Newmarket last month in first-time blinkers. Headgear remains and he has a major chance on form, but most of his winning has been done on a sound surface.

Form: 122361

(1)

What About Carlo³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 108| C

8/1

Ran a blinder when just touched off in a 1m2f Goodwood Listed contest last time. Handles soft ground, but has to prove he stays this distance.

Form: 321092

(11)

Architecture¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 107| BF

8/1

Last year's Oaks winner whose belated return to action this season saw her finish a close fourth at this track last month. Failed to back that up over 1m2f last time and this return to 1m4f should suit much better.

Form: 8236-43

(7)

Mountain Bell³⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: M Harley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 107| D

7/1

Talented and progressive last year, she was a solid second in this race on her final start. Had has injury problems since so it will be some training performance if she is able to win this on her belated reappearance.

Form: 2/1312-

(3)

Raheen House²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: B J Meehan| OR: 110

5/1

Improving colt who was not disgraced when seventh in the St Leger before being awarded a Listed race at Ascot following the disqualification of the first past the post. Drops back in trip, but should be competitive.

Form: 234171

(10)

Best Solution⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 115| D

6/1

Along with Frontiersman, this colt gives Godolphin a strong hand. Won the Lingfield Derby Trial and was not disgraced in the big race itself, but has not performed to that level since. All three wins have come on good ground.

Form: 818025

(2)

Natavia^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 102| C

12/1

Showed she handles this sort of ground when winning a 1m2f Listed contest at this track in May. Finished last of nine in the Oaks and was well held last time, but this return to a softer surface may help.

Form: 2197

Forecasts

Frontiersman (9/2), Raheen House (5/1), Best Solution (6/1), Mountain Bell (7/1), What About Carlo (8/1), Architecture (8/1), Danehill Kodiac (11/1), Natavia (12/1), Western Hymn (12/1), Ayrad (25/1), Across The Stars (33/1)

Godolphin pair Frontiersman and Best Solution have strong form claims, but both might prefer better ground and the value choice may be WESTERN HYMN, who has plenty of good form to his credit at this level, acts on soft going and could improve for first-time blinkers. Danehill Kodiac is an obvious threat after his good win at Ascot, while Architecture will be happier returned to this trip.