Sky Sports Racing Winter Hill Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 18:51 | Winning time: 2m 4.24s

(1)

Desert Encounter^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 116| C

4/1

Last year's winner of the Canadian International who bounced back to form with a comfortable win at this level at Goodwood at the start of this month. Gives 3lb and more to the rest so tough ask on these terms, but still highly respected.

Form: 1-38831

(5)

Accidental Agent^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 112

12/1

Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot last year but went into the bad books when refusing to race and defend his crown in the Queen Anne Stakes in June; worn headgear the last twice and ran well at this level latest. This looks tougher but not much to find.

Form: 5-3R482

(2)

Matterhorn²⁷

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

3/1

Won a Listed race here in June but went on to finish 5L behind Accidental Agent in the Summer Mile at Ascot next time out; poor effort in a German Group 1 since and now has a bit to prove in this company.

Form: 220157

(4)

Star Of Bengal^p⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| D

9/2

Candidate for making the running but has a tough test ahead judging by the way he dropped out of contention in the Listed Wolferton Stakes when last seen. Best previous effort came when winning a Class 2 handicap on Polytrack at Chelmsford.

Form: 731-18

(3)

Queen Power⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 104| D

11/8

Three-year-olds have a poor record in this race so stats against this lightly raced filly. However, she has a lot of ability; evidenced when fourth in the Ribblesdale; previously beat the winner in a Listed race at Newbury. Drop in trip will suit.

Form: 1-214

Forecasts

Queen Power (11/8), Matterhorn (3/1), Desert Encounter (4/1), Star Of Bengal (9/2), Accidental Agent (12/1)

Although only one of the last 10 winners of this race was a three-year-old, this is a weak renewal and hands Queen Power with a good chance to get back on the right path. The selection found her energy sapped by the 1m4f trip in the Group 1 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but her only previous run at this distance is rock solid and, with her yard enjoying a near twenty per cent current strike-rate, this daughter of Shamardal has a lot going for her. Accidental Agent and Desert Encounter look the pick of the opposition with the first named fancied to pose the most potent threat.