Pommery Champagne Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 25.42s

(3)

Threat²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 113

6/5

Runner-up in the Grp 2 Coventry Stakes (Royal Ascot) and the Richmond Stakes (Goodwood); deservedly had his day in the limelight when keeping on strongly to justify favouritism in the Gimcrack Stakes (York); pedigree implies that 7f will be fine.

Form: 1221

(4)

Fort Myers¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

8/1

Dundalk debut winner (6f); consistent in defeat since and just over 1L behind (fourth) today's rival Threat in the Grp 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot; first attempt at 7f (dam Marvellous won the Irish 1,000 Guineas); stablemate of Royal Dornoch.

Form: 12433

(1)

Juan Elcano⁶³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: K A Ryan| D

4/1

Frankel colt (360,000gns yearling); toughed it out to score on debut at Haydock (7f, heavy) and proved he's more than capable of competing at a higher level when finishing second to Mystery Power in the Grp 2 Superlative Stakes (Newmarket).

Form: 12

(2)

Royal Crusade²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| D

9/4

Half-brother to the promising Severnaya (John Gosden); comfortably landed the odds on Newmarket debut (7f, good to firm) three-weeks ago when beating a stablemate of Threat; ample untapped potential in an admittedly deeper race.

Form: 1

(5)

Royal Dornoch¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

20/1

Broke the duck at the fifth attempt with a smooth ½L win in a recent Gowran Park maiden (7f, yielding); had earlier finished third (behind Threat) in the Grp 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood (is 3lb better off for 3L); stablemate of Fort Myers.

Form: 02371

Forecasts

Threat (6/5), Royal Crusade (9/4), Juan Elcano (4/1), Fort Myers (8/1), Royal Dornoch (20/1)

THREAT is clearly a very talented juvenile who simply keeps on improving with racing, and few could begrudge him a deserving day in the limelight at York (Gimcrack Stakes winner). Carrying a 3lb penalty, he undoubtedly has more on his plate today, although both pedigree and the manner of his York success offer confidence that he'll continue to prosper over this longer trip. The Newmarket scorer Royal Crusade has untapped potential for Godolphin, while Frankel colt Juan Elcano has done nothing other than impress so far.