13:50 Newmarket

Thursday 12 July 2018

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

Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 2m 44.78s

(2)

Berkshire Blue¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding

20/1

Improved markedly for his debut when winning at Wolverhampton last time out in impressive fashion by 11L. Takes a huge step up in class here but more improvement to come and sire's progeny often appreciate a fast surface. Each-way claims.

Form: 41

(6)

Caliburn²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 94

16/1

Progressing with each start and lost his maiden tag with a facile success at Haydock last time out. More needed here but still unexposed and he's proven on fast ground.

Form: 531

(1)

First Eleven^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 97

2/1

Improving all the time as a three-year-old and followed up an impressive win at Newbury with a placed effort at Royal Ascot. That run can be upgraded given he met interference in the closing stages and he was only narrowly beaten. Should run well.

Form: 962-213

(3)

Giuseppe Garibaldi^t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| BF| D

9/4

Improved from maiden company to win a Listed race at Leopardstown last month. Creditable efforts in a pair of Group 2 races since entitles him to plenty of respect here and he sets the standard on form.

Form: 331132

(5)

Global Giant²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: G Mosse| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 101| C

22/1

Outrun his 100/1 odds when fifth of 16 at Royal Ascot when last seen in Group 3 company. Course winner who is likely to stay and has won on fast ground; likely to be thereabouts if he can improve for the step up in trip.

Form: 31-555

(8)

Loxley²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 105| C

4/1

Well beaten in the Racing Post Trophy on final start as a juvenile but returned with an impressive win over 1m2f here last time. Runner-up ran with credit it in the Eclipse on Saturday and he should improve for his reappearance. Won't be far away.

Form: 17-1

(7)

Victory Salute^t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102

20/1

Improved from debut to win a maiden at Cork and not disgraced in a Group 2 at the Curragh last time. Should continue to improve but he's the second-string here and may be here to ensure a strong gallop for his stablemate.

Form: 414

(4)

Wells Farhh Go²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 105

7/1

Impressive winner of his first two starts as a juvenile including a York Group 3. Has failed to land any sort of blow in two starts this year on faster ground, too keen on both starts and may be seen to better effect towards the end of the season.

Form: 11-66

Forecasts

First Eleven (2/1), Giuseppe Garibaldi (9/4), Loxley (4/1), Wells Farhh Go (7/1), Caliburn (16/1), Victory Salute (20/1), Berkshire Blue (20/1), Global Giant (22/1)

Aidan O'Brien won this race in 2016 and Giuseppe Garibaldi sets a solid standard on form, placed twice in Group 2 company this year. However, preference is for the unexposed LOXLEY after an impressive return here last month. With the step up in trip likely to suit and his proven record on a fast surface, he could prove hard to beat with improvement on the cards. First Eleven is another improving sort who ran with great credit at Royal Ascot and he may prove to be the main danger to the selection.