CPW Property Maintenance Midsummer Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 46.73s

(4)

Mr Owen²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105| D

4/1

Smart performer who has had a rather chequered year being first past the post in the Winter Derby (disqualified) and running well but not matching that form subsequently. Found out in Group 3 company last time (hood removed late); penalty carried.

Form: 2D5845

(5)

Gabrial¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: R A Fahey| OR: 107| CD

6/1

Hard to fault this durable player who often runs his race in the face of stiff tasks; back to the scene of his 2016 victory (last win). Rated about the same then as he is now this is more his level after picking up the pieces of late in better races.

Form: 474320

(1)

Oh This Is Us¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| D

1/1

Best of these on official ratings he enjoyed a short and productive spell in Dubai before finishing 2nd in a C&D Listed contest to one who had the run of the race. Too highly tried last time out (Group 1) this is a more inviting and acceptable task.

Form: 75-1320

(3)

Zhui Feng^p¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: M Dwyer| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 108| D

3/1

Tends to show his best form at Ascot in big-field handicaps (former Hunt Cup winner) although disappointed (drawn wrong side) in this year's renewal. Official rating forces him to try races like this now; front runner who could get a soft lead.

Form: 0317-20

Non-Runners

(2)

Tupi⁷

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: R Hannon J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Oh This Is Us (1/1), Zhui Feng (3/1), Mr Owen (4/1), Gabrial (6/1), Tupi (10/1)

This is a more realistic target for Gabrial and it was the scene of his last win two years ago with conditions a lot softer on that occasion but he does find it hard to get his head in front and he finished well beaten in the Hunt Cup last week. Zhui Feng a former winner of that race was well beaten in it when trying to follow up last week but he’s worth a go in this and might get an easy lead. OH THIS IS US will find this far easier than the Group 1 test he was given last time and the drop in class can see him return to winning form.