British Stallion Studs EBF Glasgow Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 19:57 | Winning time: 2m 19.3s

(2)

Austrian School¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94| BF

5/2

Winner of his first two starts this year he's run some respectable races in handicaps since including a new career-best in a top-class handicap last time. This looks a tougher task at the weights and he drops back in trip also (not certain to suit).

Form: 1-11442

(1)

Raymond Tusk¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Makin| T: R Hannon| OR: 106

7/4

Lightly-raced sort who won his debut start earlier in the year looking as though he was capable of better form when upped in grade. Despite not winning he has lived up to that promise (ran in Group 1 last time); this looks perfect for him.

Form: 126

(5)

Ventura Knight¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| C

9/2

Useful colt who deserves his chance in this company having won three handicaps this year and looks in top form this year beating older rivals again last time. Track and ground will hold no fears but the trip may stretch him a little.

Form: 791011

(3)

Shailene²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 94

3/1

Just the four runs to her name but has won two of them (both on the AW) but did finish a decent 4th on her one run on turf (Cheshire Oaks). Looks well up to this grade and should stay even further than this in time; remains with potential.

Form: 1421

(4)

Vera Drake¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Beasley| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79| BF

40/1

Yet to win a race and although she's shown promise in handicaps her level of form so far leaves her well short of what is required to win this. Ran very flat on Thursday afternoon in a 1m5f handicap and a big shock if she can get competitive.

Form: 24-2226

Forecasts

Raymond Tusk (7/4), Austrian School (5/2), Shailene (3/1), Ventura Knight (9/2), Vera Drake (40/1)

Mark Johnston has a good record in this winning four of the last ten renewals although he has yet to have a success in the race since 2013. He runs two this year in Austrian School and Ventura Knight and while both have run well in handicaps this year they are stepping up in grade now with question marks about the trip for both of them. RAYMOND TUSK sets the standard on form and is favoured at the weights with a drop in class also likely to be in his favour although he wasn’t disgraced last time in a Group 1. The main danger would appear to be the filly Shailene who although she hasn’t won on turf yet ran well on the surface in the Cheshire Oaks and looks a potential improver.