Sri Lanka August Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 2m 25.23s

(1)

Big Country¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 109| DWS

8/1

Effective at this level - one win and three placed efforts from seven starts in this grade - but below par when last seen. Had wind surgery since so highly likely he had a valid excuse. Still a bit to prove on first run on turf for almost a year.

Form: 522-249

(4)

Crowned Eagle⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Botti| OR: 106| C| D

4/1

Failed to justify support when second in a Group 2 in Italy in June; also well held when last tried at this level. In 'no-mans land' as far as handicapping goes but this level looks a tough ask for him too. Has won here but others convince more.

Form: 25-9352

(6)

Lucius Tiberius^t1⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 106

5/4

Useful when with Aidan O'Brien and back to form with a near miss in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock latest; that was arguably best run since joining his current yard and certainly his best at this trip. Dangerous to rule out. (Tongue strap applied.)

Form: 4-45202

(5)

Raakib Alhawa⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 98

7/2

Been highly tried since winning his maiden at Newbury last September; well held at this level twice since returning from a break and now has a lot to prove. Yard is going well and Spencer back in the saddle but still needs a big step forward.

Form: 10-75

(2)

Grace And Danger⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 92

11/2

Convincing winner of a maiden on debut at Nottingham last October but held in two fillies only Listed races since. Her run in the Cheshire Oaks is solid form but she was never a threat at Goodwood last time. Big improvement needed against the boys.

Form: 1-48

Non-Runners

(3)

Waldstern¹⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: J & T Gosden J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lucius Tiberius (5/4), Waldstern (9/4), Raakib Alhawa (7/2), Crowned Eagle (4/1), Grace And Danger (11/2), Big Country (8/1)

A chance is taken that John Gosden has got to the bottom of WALDSTERN and, with the visor back in place, this 400,000 gns purchase can take a step towards emulating some of the Group winners lurking in his pedigree. He looks the most progressive of the bunch at this stage. Big Country is consistent at this level but has a bit to prove back on turf on his return from wind surgery, so it might be down to Lucius Tiberius and Crowned Eagle to scrap it out as the best of the rest. The former just edges preference in that personal battle.