14:25 Newbury

Saturday 18 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Al Rayyan Stakes (Registered As The Aston Park Stakes) (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 33.78s

(7)

Raymond Tusk¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: R Hannon| OR: 111| C| D

10/1

Hamilton Listed winner who came up short in the St Leger last season before landing an Italian Group 2. Ran well to be second in the Sagaro Stakes under a penalty at Ascot, but stiff task giving weight away here.

Form: 1261-62

(2)

Crystal Ocean²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 125| CD

2/9

Just touched off in last year's King George at Ascot, and won this race and Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot prior. Won Gordon Richards Stakes for second successive year on his return, and weighted to win this easily as he did last term.

Form: 11222-1

(5)

Laraaib³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 112| D

6/1

blinkered for the first time, he showed a good attitude to beat Communique in a Group 3 contest at Ascot. Good third to Marmelo in John Porter Stakes here last month, and solid place claims once more.

Form: 3/2961-3

(3)

Count Calabash⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 102| BF| D

50/1

Easy winner of a Kempton handicap on penultimate start, and helped force a strong pace when only sixth in Rosebery Handicap there last time. Up significantly in class here.

Form: 102-516

(1)

Pivoine^b²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 104

33/1

Best effort last year when winning a 1¼m handicap at York in August. Only 8L sixth of 7 to Crystal Ocean in Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown last month, however, and not up to this task.

Form: 4610-66

(4)

Red Verdon^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 108| D

16/1

Won a minor event at Doncaster (1m3½f) on his reappearance, but well beaten back in Pattern company in Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last time, and a minor role is the best he can hope for.

Form: 2500-15

(6)

Top Tug²¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A King| OR: 101| D

40/1

Smart handicapper at his best, but has never been easy to catch right, and looks to be biting off more than he can chew in this company.

Form: 250630-

Forecasts

Crystal Ocean (2/9), Laraaib (6/1), Raymond Tusk (10/1), Red Verdon (16/1), Pivoine (33/1), Top Tug (40/1), Count Calabash (50/1)

CRYSTAL OCEAN had few peers in this division last year, but has the luxury of receiving weight from one of his rivals here, and he should prove different class as he did when winning the corresponding event 12 months ago. With the admirable Raymond Tusk still shouldered with a penalty for his Italian win, Laraaib looks the one most likely to chase the favourite home.