EBF Stallions King Richard III Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 1m 22.27s

(5)

Donjuan Triumphant¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 112| D

9/2

Was third in this race in 2017 and second last year. Won at this level at Doncaster in November. Ideally wants slow ground to have his best chance, so any rain would help. Not ruled out.

Form: 249431-

(4)

Cardsharp⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| D

7/1

Group 2 winner as a juvenile, and won in Listed company last year. Won a Lingfield handicap three starts ago, but not as good in either run since. Can't write off, but needs to bounce back returning to turf.

Form: 08-3130

(3)

Eqtidaar²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 112

11/4

Showed improved form when landing the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last year. Well below that both starts since, so this is a lower key resumption. Not ground dependent, goes well fresh, and looks a leading player.

Form: 4/24190-

(2)

Hey Gaman¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J Tate| OR: 113| D

9/4

Listed win in 2017 remains his most recent, but he has run well in both Group 1 and Group 2 company since then. Well held in big Ascot sprint when last seen in October, but claims if at his best on reappearance, and goes well fresh.

Form: 327530-

(6)

Larchmont Lad^p²⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: J Tuite| OR: 110| D

14/1

Won a Group 2 at the Curragh (7f, good) last July. Well held next time in a French Group 1. Should be better suited back at this sort of level, however, so can't write him off after changing hands/stables for 100,000 gns in the autumn.

Form: 432310-

(1)

Laugh A Minute¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 107| D

9/2

Finished almost 3L adrift of Donjuan Triumphant in a Listed Doncaster event when last seen in October. Still open to improvement, and not written off here.

Form: 430124-

Forecasts

Hey Gaman (9/4), Eqtidaar (11/4), Laugh A Minute (9/2), Donjuan Triumphant (9/2), Cardsharp (7/1), Larchmont Lad (14/1)

A quality contest, where marginal preference is for HEY GAMAN, who goes well fresh and has plenty of form that suggests he is good enough to win again in this grade. Eqtidaar would give them all plenty to do if near his best on his reappearance, while Laugh A Minute looks a potential improver who could go well.