15:35 Chelmsford City

Thursday 11 April 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:1517:50

Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 1m 36.90s

(8)

Antilles¹⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 87

33/1

Gradually progressive, and best effort when winning under a no-nonsense ride at Naas (7f) in November. All out to hold on there, and blinkers he wore are now dispensed with, so has a little to prove.

Form: 0551-

(7)

Barys^b³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 100| D

20/1

Won a 1m Listed race at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in February, and reported to have coughed after disappointing at Dundalk last time. Probably best to forgive that run, and not discounted on previous form.

Form: 4531-17

(9)

Battle Of Waterloo¹⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: J Ryan| OR: 81| C

100/1

Well beaten on first two starts, but improved to win in clear-cut style over 7f here last time. In a stronger race here, and needs to improve further to be competitive.

Form: 001-

(1)

Bye Bye Hong Kong¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 107

7/2

Improved with each run last season, culminating in a fine second in the G3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket. Suited by way that race was run, but has the scope to progress again as a 3-y-o.

Form: 3152-

(3)

Certain Lad¹⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Charles Bishop| T: M R Channon| OR: 103| D

8/1

Won novices at Redcar and Haydock and listed race at Lyon Parilly (1m) in 2018, but readily held in Group company. Gelded since last seen, and lacks the physical scope of some of his rivals here.

Form: 134316-

(6)

Dark Vision²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 111

6/1

Big colt who won his first three as a juvenile before being bought by Godolphin, including the G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Flopped in the Champagne Stakes behind Too Darn Hot on final start, but likely to develop into a decent prospect this term.

Form: 1116-

(4)

Fanaar⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 99

7/2

Useful juvenile, albeit one who seemd a notch below this level, but he improved to land a 7f Listed race at Lingfield on last month's return. Not ruled out, but needs to progress again at this trip.

Form: 12924-1

(5)

Shir Khan¹⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P & O Cole

25/1

Well held on turf debut at Nottingham, but much improved when bolting up in a 1m1½f novice at Wolverhampton later in November. Should have more to come, but taking a drop in trip in what looks a very warm contest.

Form: 81-

(2)

U S S Michigan⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien

15/8

Both runs have come over 6f, winnng at Dundalk last month, but is a full-brother to 1m1f G3 winner War Dispatch, and likely to improve markedly now stepping up in trip in line with his pedigree. Respected.

Form: 2-1

Forecasts

U S S Michigan (15/8), Bye Bye Hong Kong (7/2), Fanaar (7/2), Dark Vision (6/1), Certain Lad (8/1), Barys (20/1), Shir Khan (25/1), Antilles (33/1), Battle Of Waterloo (100/1)

U S S MICHIGAN has something to find on bare form, but this well-related colt has only raced at 6f to date, and is bred to excel at this trip and beyond, so abnormal improvement looks on the cards, He is preferred to Dark Vision who looked such a good prospect before his Champagne Stakes flop, and has the physique to do even better with another winter on his back. Bye Bye Hong Kong looks best of the rest based on a couple of solid efforts in Group company last autumn.