14:20 Newmarket

Saturday 4 May 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:3516:1016:4517:20

Zoustar Palace House Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 58.67s

(10)

Mabs Cross²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 112| CD

6/1

Won this race last year before enjoying a fine season, mightily unlucky when touched off in the Nunthorpe before landing the Abbaye next time out. Tough ask to concede weight to all but she could have more improvement in her this season.

Form: 143321-

(3)

El Astronaute³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 106| BF| CD

12/1

Mightily consistent last season, winning three times including a Listed race in France. Minimum trip and fast ground probably his optimum conditions and has the advantage of a prep run at Musselburgh when only narrowly denied; each-way claims.

Form: 24121-2

(1)

Encore d'Or¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 103| D

33/1

Useful sprinter, unsuited by 6f last time out on AW. Better on artificial surfaces though and this looks a tough race for the grade so others make more appeal this time.

Form: 112-166

(2)

Equilateral¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Hills| OR: 106| D

11/2

Looked an exciting sprinter when bolting up at Doncaster in a good time in May 2018. Well backed but only fourth here at the Craven Meeting when paying the price for sitting close to a strong pace; has a bit to prove in a race this competitive.

Form: 8144-34

(5)

Judicial^h²²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: G Lee| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 108| D

12/1

Group 3 winner at Sandown last year but struggled when stepped up in class in the Nunthorpe and ground went against him on final start of 2018. Only narrowly denied in this last year and each-way chance again if ready to go on return here.

Form: 281105-

(11)

Major Jumbo³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: K A Ryan| OR: 107| CD

8/1

Useful front running sprinter who won over C&D on his return last year. The concern would be that most of his best form has come with plenty of cut in the ground and this demands a career best.

Form: 33201-2

(6)

Ornate¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Phil Dennis| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 98| CD

40/1

C&D winner on return at the Craven Meeting and has also won over 5f on the July course. Plenty more needed back up in class here though and others look like stronger candidates.

Form: 112251

(8)

Sir Thomas Gresham^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: M Dwyer| T: Tim Pinfield| OR: 101| C

20/1

Won his first two starts, the second of which was a 6f success here. Did too much too soon here last time and the drop to 5f not certain to be ideal; has a bit to prove.

Form: 113-555

(7)

Tarboosh³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: P T Midgley| OR: 108| D

16/1

Has won eight of his 22 starts on turf and not beaten far at Musselburgh on his return. May continue to progress and has won on the July course here so has plenty in his favour provided he comes on for his latest run.

Form: 11221-3

(4)

Queen Of Desire¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: R Varian| OR: 97| D

25/1

Arrives here bidding for a five-timer and produced a career best when winning in Listed company at Bath last time. Needs another sizable step forward up in class here but gets the fillies' allowance and not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 31161-1

(9)

Sergei Prokofiev³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| CD

6/4

Excellent third behind Calyx in the Coventry and while disappointing on his next two runs, he bounced back with a C&D Group 3 win in October. Impressive Listed winner on return at Cork and that should put him spot on for this. Gets weight from all.

Form: 35718-1

Forecasts

Sergei Prokofiev (6/4), Equilateral (11/2), Mabs Cross (6/1), Major Jumbo (8/1), El Astronaute (12/1), Judicial (12/1), Tarboosh (16/1), Sir Thomas Gresham (20/1), Queen Of Desire (25/1), Encore d'Or (33/1), Ornate (40/1)

MABS CROSS won this last year and while she has more on her plate at the weights this time around, trainer Michael Dods usually has his sprinters ready to go first-time out and she may be up to landing this on her return. Sergei Prokofiev is an obvious danger, though whether five furlongs is his optimum trip remains to be seen. El Astronaute is a model of consistency who gets his ideal conditions and should remain competitive after a smart run on his return at Musselburgh.