Sri Lanka August Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 17:46 | Winning time: 2m 28.5s

(2)

Barsanti⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 113| D

9/5

Scored on seasonal return at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) in this grade, not disgraced in pair of decent Group 2 events since, though didn't find as much as hoped last time at Newmarket in the Princess of Wales's Stakes.

Form: 322-145

(4)

Desert Encounter^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 111| C| D

11/2

Group 3 winner in 2017, solid second in 1m2f Newbury Listed contest last month and easily forgiven no-show in strong Ascot Group 1 a week later. This much more realistic.

Form: 5-93726

(6)

Euginio^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 110

14/1

Won a couple of good handicaps over 1m2f (good to firm and soft) last season, the latter from a mark of 102. Three good runs in Listed contests this season, before sound defeat in York Group 2 last month. Tackles new trip, entitled to claims.

Form: 1-32247

(5)

Game Starter^p³⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 108

6/4

Dubawi colt is 3-4 so far, having won all three 2017 starts. Ridden positively, capable of making all, and won over this trip at Doncaster in September. Could be a major force if ready to roll after 343 days off.

Form: 2/111-

(1)

Prize Money²²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 112

13/2

Group 2 winner in Dubai early last year, though unable to reproduced that sort of form on these shores. Less convincing in the desert this year, ensuring there are questions to answer for now. Looks stable second string.

Form: 49066-9

Non-Runners

(3)

Cribbs Causeway⁶²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: H & R Charlton J: Adam J McNamara

Forecasts

Game Starter (6/4), Barsanti (9/5), Desert Encounter (11/2), Prize Money (13/2), Euginio (14/1), Cribbs Causeway (20/1)

Game Starter is very interesting on his return from almost a year off. He was unbeaten in three starts last year and could prove hard to contain if fully wound up on this return. He tackles Listed company for the first time and is one to note in the betting. DESERT ENCOUNTER is easily forgiven a poor run in the King George last time, but his previous second to Emotionless at Newbury was a solid effort and makes him of interest here. Euginio has thrice gone close in this grade this season while Barsanti might find a bit more in the finish for this drop in grade.