13:50 Newmarket

Saturday 28 September 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 35.13s

(5)

Highland Chief⁹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: P & O Cole

5/1

Surprise winner on debut but showed there was no fluke about that effort when third behind high-class Pinatubo at Royal Ascot; could be even better over this longer trip and well bred.

Form: 13

(8)

Iberia¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98

9/1

Won a maiden at the Curragh on debut but hasn't built on that in two starts at that venue since at Pattern level. Finished a long way behind Pinatubo last time and hard to make a case for, though the step up in trip should suit at least.

Form: 175

(4)

Kameko²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding

6/5

Sandown winner on debut and only narrowly denied back at that venue in Group 3 company on his second start. That's strong form and there's every chance he can make his presence felt up in class here, provided he handles some more cut in the ground.

Form: 12

(1)

Pyledriver²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 102| D

8/1

50/1 firm ground winner on debut and while he couldn't build on that in Listed class at Newbury next time out, he bounced back with a much improved effort at Haydock last time out. Could well still have more to give.

Form: 141

(3)

Royal Dornoch¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102

16/1

Off the mark at the fifth attempt in a maiden at Gowran Park but failed to beat a rival home at Doncaster last time in Group company and no obvious signs up to this level; down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 023715

(2)

Sound Of Cannons²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: B J Meehan| D

8/1

Held on well to win over C&D on debut and stepped up on that when runner-up behind Pyledriver at Haydock last time out. Should continue to improve and the booking of Dettori is eye-catching; interesting contender.

Form: 12

(7)

Year Of The Tiger⁷⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien

6/1

Off the mark at the third attempt in a Naas maiden in July and probably worth forgiving his effort on the July course subsequently in Group 2 company. Step up in trip will suit and he's first string on jockey bookings here.

Form: 2717

Non-Runners

(6)

Surf Dancer³⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 2

T: W J Haggas J: James Doyle

Forecasts

Kameko (6/5), Highland Chief (5/1), Year Of The Tiger (6/1), Surf Dancer (7/1), Sound Of Cannons (8/1), Pyledriver (8/1), Iberia (9/1), Royal Dornoch (16/1)

A tricky opener but a chance is taken on HIGHLAND CHIEF who looks sure to relish the step up in trip and has been impressive on both starts to date. Year Of The Tiger could well be the pick of the Ballydoyle trio and he's another who will appreciate more of a stamina test. Kameko has shown enough in both his starts to suggest he warrants a step up in class and he could be the main danger if the rain stays away.