15:15 Newmarket

Saturday 29 June 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Randox Health Criterion Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 1m 24.51s

(5)

Limato⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 113| C| D

11/4

Dual Group 1 winner who returned to form towards the end of last year, winning two Listed races and a Group 2 over 7f of the Rowley Mile here. Respectable fourth of 10 to Invincible Army in Duke of York Stakes on return, and should be a big force.

Form: 01119-4

(1)

Breton Rock²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Charles Bishop| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105| CD

40/1

Won this race in 2016, but not scored since taking Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood in 2017. Not as consistent as he was, and ran poorly on heavy ground which ought to have suited in Group 3 at Haydock last time.

Form: 3488-37

(4)

Cardsharp¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 110| C| D

4/1

Easy to forgive latest flop at Ascot, with ground too soft and trip too far. Won July Stakes over 6f here as a 2-y-o, and excellent fourth in Bunbury Cup over C&D last summer, so not hard to see him bouncing back under ideal conditions.

Form: 303010

(7)

Glorious Journey⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 108| C| D

7/2

Group 3 winner over 1m at Deauville (good) in August, and back in the groove when second to subsequent Diamond Jubilee runner-up Dream of Dreams at Windsor (6f) last month. Claims if he can back that up.

Form: 9419-82

(6)

Larchmont Lad⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: J Tuite| OR: 107| D

16/1

Third in this race last year, and a Group 2 winner at the Curragh (7f, good) in July. Well beaten at Haydock on latest start, which is a concern, but had excuses there having overdone the forcing tactics, and can't rule him out if bouncing back.

Form: 2310-27

(8)

Salateen^p,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

28/1

Model of consistency this winter on AW, and not disgraced when fourth of 8 to Cardsharp in a 7f handicap at York last time. Is now 5lb worse off with the winner, however, and that puts his task into perspective.

Form: 4-10544

(2)

Suedois²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 112| D

7/2

Grade 1 winner in USA in 2017, and not ground dependent. Found winning difficult when penalised last year, but back to form when chasing home Safe Voyage in the mud at Haydock. Second in July Cup on only previous run here, and much respected.

Form: 324-442

(3)

Tabarrak⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| D

6/1

Won two Listed races last year, and ran to similar level when fourth in this contest 12 months ago. Should strip fitter for a run behind Zaaki in a Listed race at Ascot on his return, and place claims if doing so.

Form: 34511-4

Forecasts

Limato (11/4), Glorious Journey (7/2), Suedois (7/2), Cardsharp (4/1), Tabarrak (6/1), Larchmont Lad (16/1), Salateen (28/1), Breton Rock (40/1)

Limato and Suedois are the best of these on old form, finishing first and second in the 2016 July Cup, and despite their advancing years, they merit the utmost respect. CARDSHARP hasn't hit the same heights as yet, but he's run really well on both starts on the July Course himself, and is much better than he showed at Royal Ascot last time.