Unibet Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 55.70s

(4)

Morando²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 113| C| D

11/8

Outclassed in Group 1 company but solid fourth in Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes penultimate. Won Group 3 at Chester in May and won only previous visit here. Handles give underfoot so despite having to give away weight all round has plenty going for him.

Form: 21-1848

(5)

Sextant²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 103| C

4/1

Progressive handicapper who is 3-4 this term and landed good Ascot 1m4f contest last time with a bit in hand off 98. Rated 5lb higher now but needs to improve at least as much again to land the spoils over extra furlong.

Form: 12-1411

(1)

Durston¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 94

3/1

Won at Doncaster and Chester in June at up to 1m6f and went down with all guns blazing in hot Goodwood handicap last time off 88. This is a much tougher test and will do well to bustle up the principals.

Form: 32-4112

(3)

Sameem²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 96

13/2

Decent handicap form winning at Ripon last month prior to big improvement up to 1m3f landing Listed contest at Hamilton with a bit in hand. Up in class and distance but going the right way and is not out of it if he stays extra 2f.

Form: 732011

(2)

Technician¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Meade| OR: 103

10/1

Second in Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial in spring and won French 1m2f Listed event in soft ground in June. Possible non-stayer over 1m4f at Goodwood latest so extra furlong is a concern but does have a touch of class.

Form: 3-12516

Forecasts

Morando (11/8), Durston (3/1), Sextant (4/1), Sameem (13/2), Technician (10/1)

The senior runner in the field, MORANDO is a confident choice and has a bit in hand on official figures on his good fourth in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. He won here last year on his only previous visit and ground conditions are of no concern. Sameem could be the one for the forecast given his improved display over 2f less at Hamilton last time. He shapes as though he should stay and is in peak form at present. Technician has to prove his stamina but is a fair performer and not out of it, but both Sextant and Durston need to significantly raise their respective games to score.