13:20 Ascot

Saturday 14 July 2018

All12:4513:2013:5014:2515:0515:3516:10

Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 13:22 | Winning time: 1m 39.39s

(5)

Beat The Bank²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 118| D

11/4

Progressive last season when his wins included a 5L romp at this level at Newmarket. Did not get the clearest of runs when a close-up sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes last time, but has ground to make up with Lord Glitters and Century Dream.

Form: 1110-06

(9)

Century Dream^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 114| CD

4/1

Behind Lord Glitters, but ahead of Beat The Bank when a good fourth at the Royal meeting. Seems to be progressing with every race and may have even more to offer.

Form: 11-0114

(7)

Circus Couture²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: J F Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 107| D

16/1

Prolific winner for Stefano Botti in Italy and ran his best race for his current trainer when third of 30, at 100-1, in the Royal Hunt Cup last time. Has a bit to find at this level.

Form: 37-1553

(6)

Eminent²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: C O'Donoghue| T: M Meade| OR: 113| D

8/1

Solid Classic form in 2017, but has not performed to that level in two starts this season and was found to have a fibrillating heart after the first of them. Drop back to 1m may suit, but he has questions to answer.

Form: 4513-55

(2)

Lord Glitters²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 115| CD

10/3

Big improver who ran the race of his life to be second in the Queen Anne at the Royal meeting. Had Century Dream and Beat The Bank behind that day, but they finished in a heap and it certainly wasn't the strongest of Group 1 contests.

Form: 1212-22

(8)

Suedois²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 114| D

20/1

Both runs this season have been at Group 1 level, latterly when well down the field in the race in which stable companion Lord Glitters was second. Has plenty to do on that evidence.

Form: 3114-70

(4)

Trais Fluors²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: A Fabre| D

4/1

French raider who has won at Group 3 level and has performed with credit on both starts on home turf this season. Needs to take a step forward to win this, but his master trainer rarely brings runners to England unless they have a sound chance.

Form: 24-2032

(3)

Zhui Feng^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: M Dwyer| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 108| CD

25/1

Disappointing defence of his Royal Hunt Cup crown two starts ago, but bounced back to win a four-runner Listed contest at Windsor. Not out of it given his liking for this course.

Form: 317-201

Non-Runners

(1)

Arod²⁹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: D M Simcock J: A Kirby

Forecasts

Beat The Bank (11/4), Lord Glitters (10/3), Century Dream (4/1), Trais Fluors (4/1), Eminent (8/1), Arod (14/1), Circus Couture (16/1), Suedois (20/1), Zhui Feng (25/1)

Eminent would be the one to beat on his 2017 form, but he has been well held on both starts this term and cannot be recommended until showing more. The Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot saw LORD GLITTERS finish second, with Century Dream, Beat The Bank and Suedois behind. There is no guarantee that the form will be upheld, but the selection is still improving and may be able to win at this level for the first time. French challenger Trais Fluors is afforded plenty of respect given the record of his trainer in England.