Dunaden Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:58 | Winning time: 2m 34.01s

(2)

Count Octave²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 111| D

10/3

Both his wins have come on AW but not disgraced in last year's St Leger and placed behind a smart sort in a Royal Ascot Group 2 earlier in the campaign. Race fitness on his side and not out of this if he handles the track on first run here.

Form: 15226-1

(1)

Defoe¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 115| D

1/2

Won four of his five starts last year before finishing well beaten in the St Leger. Impressive when winning at Newbury on his return with a certain degree of comfort and hard to beat if he comes on for that run.

Form: 11110-1

(3)

Khalidi³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 114| C

8/1

Two-time Listed winner (including here) for John Gosden and ran some fine races in defeat in Group class. Shown nothing in two starts for this yard so far this year though and faces some less exposed rivals here.

Form: 1022-70

(4)

Master The World^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 107| C

20/1

Won a Group 3 at Lingfield on AW Championship Final's Day (won in the stewards' room) and has won twice here before. Stays this trip fine but his turn of foot not always as potent on turf. Needs a strong pace to aim at and not guaranteed that here.

Form: 127-125

(5)

Red Verdon^b³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 107| BF| D

14/1

Fourth in the Irish Derby before a second in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud as a three-year-old but didn't match that level in 2017. While he's been in good form on AW this winter, his two previous runs at this course have below par and others preferred.

Form: 6321-14

Forecasts

Defoe (1/2), Count Octave (10/3), Khalidi (8/1), Red Verdon (14/1), Master The World (20/1)

It's hard to oppose DEFOE following his dominant success in a Group 3 at Newbury last time out and a reproduction of that effort would leave all of his rivals needing a career best. Count Octave rates as the main danger and while he's never won on turf, he's placed in Group class and is lightly raced for his age. Khalidi has been a little disappointing in two starts for this yard but would have the beating of the remainder if he returns to his best form.