14:40 Newmarket

Saturday 27 June 2020

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Betway Criterion Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 22.81s

(3)

Sir Dancealot¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Levey| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 114| CD

16/1

Has won the Group 2 Lennox Stakes over this trip at Goodwood for the past two years, and also landed the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster in September. Excuses since, but penalty for latest success not easy to defy.

Form: 14510-0

(4)

Happy Power²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 112| D

7/1

Best efforts last year when a close fourth in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes and third in Group 2 Celebration Mile, both at Goodwood. Good third on return over this trip at Haydock, and will be better for that outing, so merits consideration.

Form: 74356-3

(9)

Limato²⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: H Candy| OR: 114| CD

5/1

Classy performer who has a string of big-race wins to his name, and who landed this race last year. Clear pick of the weights on these terms, but slight concern that he usually needs a run to hit peak form.

Form: 9/41062-

(2)

Mubtasim¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 112| D

6/1

Made all to land a C&D handicap last spring, and looked better than ever when second in STC 1351 Turf Sprint at King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia) in February. Has sound claims if in the same form now.

Form: 4/121-32

(5)

On The Warpath¹²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 110| D

15/2

Second to Mubtasim over C&D last April before winning a 6f handicap here next time. Ran well enough after a long absence at Meydan in February, and another with form claims if at his peak on return from a break.

Form: 23121-4

(1)

Tip Two Win³⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: R A Teal| OR: 107| D

40/1

Listed winner in Qatar in 2018, when he went on to finish second in the 2,000 Guineas. Rather lost his way since, and only seen out twice last year, when well beaten. Something to prove on his return.

Form: 2406/08-

(8)

Turjomaan^v1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 109| D

15/2

Won all three starts in novice company and only narrowly denied by Duke Of Hazzard when stepped up to Group 3 company at Goodwood last term. Effort in the Queen Anne at Ascot on return too bad to be true, and visor reached for now.

Form: D1/12-0

(7)

Vale Of Kent¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| CD

5/2

Bunbury Cup winner on July Course last year, and ran up to his best when fourth of 23 to Dark Vision in Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last time. That puts him in the picture, and drop in trip is not hindrance.

Form: 0224-34

(6)

Yafta²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 108

11/1

Placed in Group 3 Abernant Stakes and Group 2 Duke of York Stakes over 6f last spring. Off almost a year prior to a creditable fifth to Space Blues in a 7f Listed race at Haydock last time, and should improve for that outing.

Form: 17/230-5

Forecasts

Vale Of Kent (5/2), Limato (5/1), Mubtasim (6/1), Happy Power (7/1), Turjomaan (15/2), On The Warpath (15/2), Yafta (11/1), Sir Dancealot (16/1), Tip Two Win (40/1)

If LIMATO is vulnerable on his first start of the season, then this has an exceptionally open look to it, with just 5lb between the rest of the field on adjusted ratings. On the other hand, Henry Candy's star is more likely to be at his peak than would normally be the case, and he stands out in form terms having an excellent course record. Turjomaan's flop at Ascot is possible to forgive, and he is unexposed, so would be a threat if bouncing back in headgear, while Charlie Appleby's pair, Mubtasim and On The Warpath are very closely matched and have shown their best form here.