Teddington RBL Poppy Appeal Stakes (Group 3) (Registered As The St Simon Stakes)

3YO plus | Class 1 | 1m 4f | 6 Runners | Turf

(2)

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 118| CD

Smart performer who revels in testing conditions having already won two Group 3 staying contests this year on heavy ground; won impressively by 6l at Ascot last time. Dead-heated with Young Rascal in this last year (good ground); primed to repeat.

Form: 184821

(6)

Royal Line⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| D

Took the November handicap last year before confirming the promise of his reappearance when taking the Group 2 September Stakes at Kempton. Excellent third in 2m Group 2 last time (looked a little stretched by trip); strong claims back in trip.

Form: 311-413

(1)

King's Advice⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 111| BF| D

Had remarkable season in handicaps winning eight (six back-to-back) since joining this yard including a couple of valuable events. Disappointed in the Ebor but ran a little better in a small-field affair last time; has something to find at this level

Form: 161102

(4)

Spirit Of Appin²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: M Dwyer| T: B J Meehan| OR: 105| D

Seen to good effect last time recording a career best having looked exposed prior to that performance when taking a Newmarket 1m4f Group 3. Now has to prove that was no fluke on much deeper ground in a stronger contest.

Form: 142431

(5)

Young Rascal¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 115| CD

Capped a smart 3yo season with a dead-heat in this contest last year (with Morando) to record his fourth win of the year. Only seen twice this year running well below-par in two Group events in April/May; needs to bounce back but merits respect.

Form: 1711-56

(3)

Manuela De Vega⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 103| BF

The sole 3yo her fourth in the Oaks entitles her to have a chance and she run with credit subsequently but has yet to win this year. Showed that she remained in good heart last time but would need one of two of the more fancied players to falter.

Form: 245232

Forecasts

Morando (9/4), Young Rascal (5/2), Royal Line (3/1), King's Advice (8/1), Manuela De Vega (8/1), Spirit Of Appin (16/1)

In the conditions this will be a real test and it’s one that will suit MORANDO ideally having looked better than ever last time when taking the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at Ascot by 6L revealing in the heavy ground. He has far less to prove than the horse that he dead-heated in this with last year – Young Rascal – who hasn’t managed to get his act together so far this year and returns from a layoff. Royal Line enters the argument having made the step up from handicaps to Group company winning a Group 3 at Kempton before being far from disgraced on Champions Day behind Kew Gardens and Stradivarius. King’s Advice and Manuela De Vega may just fall short but add depth to the contest.