13:50 Newmarket

Thursday 11 July 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:10

Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 2m 39.96s

(8)

Barbados²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

4/1

Tough type who has improved more with an increased emphasis on stamina, running a fine race last time in the Queen's Vase (1m6f). Only found Dashing Willoughby (runs later on card) too good; fine chance of going one better, usually leads.

Form: 6-24122

(9)

Boerhan^b1⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| BF

14/1

7f maiden winner on debut last year and still low mileage but needs to improve on his two starts this year to make his mark. Looked unsuited by the Rowley Mile on seasonal debut (1m1f), disappointed in an AW handicap last time (1m2f); work to do.

Form: 135-34

(2)

Eagles By Day²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell| OR: 108

2/1

Progressing this year having won a Salisbury 1m4f maiden before shaping better than his finishing position (Lingfield Derby Trial). Acquitted himself really well when third in King Edward VII Stakes last time; doing all best work in the finish.

Form: 2-2163

(5)

Nate The Great²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 100

20/1

Well beaten behind a few of these in the Queen's Vase having posted a career-best on his seasonal return in Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield. Twice a winner as a juvenile, he may not have quite seen out the 1m6f last time, still something to prove.

Form: 3513-30

(6)

Nayef Road²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| C

3/1

Stepped up markedly on his juvenile form when taking a Rowley Mile handicap in May under top weight over 1m2f. Fair efforts since including when third in the Queen's Vase last time (relished the trip), will have to reverse the form with Barbados.

Form: 73-1653

(4)

Ranch Hand⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 94

16/1

Unraced as a juvenile. Took first two starts on the Fibresand over staying trips before running a race full of potential behind the subsequent Derby winner. That run ties in with a couple in this (Nate The Great/Eagles By Day); interesting.

Form: 115

(3)

Severance^h²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: M R Channon| OR: 93

20/1

Hooded for all his starts. He improved for his first run when scoring easily over 1m4f at Haydock in April (soft). Shown some decent form since including on handicap debut; needs to settle better in his races, this test likely to prove too much.

Form: 3176

(1)

Spanish Mission⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 103

13/2

Promising sort as a juvenile on the AW, winning over 1m2f before returning this year over 1m up in grade. Showed improved form on his turf debut with a Listed race second at Goodwood (1m3f); has to progress again to get involved but not ruled out.

Form: 31-52

(7)

Waldstern²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 98| C

11/1

Stepped up on a winning juvenile debut over 1m over this course to post two further sound efforts as a two-year-old. Looks the type to do better this year but had little go right on his reappearance at Chester (not unduly punished); type to progress.

Form: 124-5

Forecasts

Eagles By Day (2/1), Nayef Road (3/1), Barbados (4/1), Spanish Mission (13/2), Waldstern (11/1), Boerhan (14/1), Ranch Hand (16/1), Nate The Great (20/1), Severance (20/1)

The key events to help unravel this field of improving stayers are the Lingfield Derby Trial (in which four of these ran) and the Queen’s Vase containing three of today’s protagonists. The sixth from the former event Eagles By Day stepped forward on that showing last time with a tremendous third at Royal Ascot and this extra furlong should suit. Nayef Road and BARBADOS lock horns again having been third and second respectively in the second key event last time; this stamina test looking to really suit Aidan O’Brien’s charge. Spanish Mission and Waldstern are unlikely to have reached their peak and should play a part.