Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 3m 36.51s

(4)

Desert Skyline¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 112

7/1

Kept on strongly to record his biggest career success on his penultimate start in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup in September 2017 (2m2f good to soft) beating Thomas Hobson by 1½L, but burdened with a 4lb penalty as a result.

Form: 623219-

(5)

Clever Cookie^p¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-2| J: J Garritty| T: P D Niven| OR: 108| D

20/1

Classy northern based stayer for whom 2017 wasn't really his most productive campaign. However, arrives race-fit on the back of a couple of recent runs and was beaten just a neck in this very contest by Mizzou in 2016.

Form: 3646-73

(6)

Montaly¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding| OR: 113| D

8/1

2017 Chester Cup winner (2m2f good) who progressed out of handicap company last summer gamely winning the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (2m+ good) at York in August. Handles cut (not ideal), and a fraction to find with Desert Skyline on Doncaster form.

Form: 0/12167-

(3)

Torcedor^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 115

9/4

Ended last season with a fine effort on Champions Day in the Group 2 Long Distance Cup (C&D), beaten ½L by Order of St George. He regularly clashed with that rival throughout 2017, but posted a dismal return to action at Meydan in March.

Form: 11522-0

(1)

Raheen House¹⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: B J Meehan| OR: 114| C

3/1

Progressive colt who had finished seventh to Capri in the 2017 St.Leger (1m6f+) prior to being awarded an Ascot Listed contest (1m6f good to soft) by the Stewards the following month. Tackles 2m for the first time, and on rain softened ground.

Form: 341712-

(2)

Time To Study³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105| BF

11/4

Improving handicapper who wears his heart on his sleeve on the front end. Neck runner up to Brandon Castle at Musselburgh on his seasonal reappearance (1m6f heavy) and whilst this is tougher he did shape okay in the Group 2 Queen's Vase (June 2017).

Form: 53101-2

Forecasts

Torcedor (9/4), Time To Study (11/4), Raheen House (3/1), Desert Skyline (7/1), Montaly (8/1), Clever Cookie (20/1)

Not necessarily a vintage Sagaro Stakes, but a decent contest nevertheless which features a couple of previous Group 2 winners, including the penalised Doncaster Cup scorer Desert Skyline. His task is made tougher by that 4lb penalty, but he stays well. Rain softened ground is a bit of an unknown for him, as is the case for the progressive Raheen House, whilst 2017 Chester Cup winner Montaly probably also ideally wants better ground. Therefore, treating his recent Meydan effort as if it never happened, the obvious selection is the Irish raider TORCEDOR. He is top-rated (115) on the strength of his Champions Day C&D Long Distance Cup second to Order Of St George.