15:15 Ascot

Saturday 11 July 2020

All12:2513:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Betfred Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 1m 39.53s

(9)

Beat Le Bon²⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| D

33/1

Rattled up a hat-trick last year (7f/1m, all on good to firm) in good handicaps and wasn't disgraced in a Group 2 at Goodwood last August. Not a bad effort Down Under when last seen in November, and looks an each-way player.

Form: 411156-

(7)

Bless Him^h³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: D M Simcock| OR: 107| CD

50/1

Triple turf winner (1m, all on fast ground), including over C&D last September, when getting the better of Lord North. Looks likely to be very competitive if he is better for a recent Newmarket Listed run.

Form: 42011-7

(3)

Duke Of Hazzard^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: P & O Cole| OR: 115| D

16/1

Went up through the pattern ranks last season, culminating in a win in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August. 25-1 and well held in the Group 1 Queen Anne on his reappearance, but should be thereabouts back at this level.

Form: 75111-0

(5)

Lord Glitters²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 106| CD

13/2

Has a very good record over C&D, the pinnacle being last year's Group 1 Queen Anne success (on good). Not as good in any start since, but goes well fresh and the return here on his reappearance may yet be significant.

Form: 015689-

(11)

Lord Tennyson²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| BF| D

12/1

Won a Chelmsford novice event (1m, AW) on debut in February, and made a big step up on that when runner-up in a Newmarket Listed event (good to firm) last month. Disappointed in the Royal Hunt Cup, but if forgiven that he has each-way claims.

Form: 120

(2)

Marie's Diamond²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 113| D

8/1

Multiple winner at up to Group 3 level, who has twice gone close in Group 2 races. Appears to go on any ground and had 4½L to spare over Lord Tennyson when winning Newmarket Listed race last month. Queen Anne third last time and a big player.

Form: 11P-313

(6)

Mohaather²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Dane O'Neill| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 113

2/1

Dual Group 3 winner (6f/7f on good/good to soft) who has raced just twice in over a year. Beaten 5L in Group 1s on those two starts, including in the Queen Anne last time, but would be a contender if better for that.

Form: 211/15-7

(10)

San Donato⁴²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 114

14/1

Has improved with every start, winning a Listed event on his last run as a juvenile and was then 1¼L third in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai de Poulains at Longchamp (1m, heavy) on his only start at three. Wouldn't do to underestimate him on his return.

Form: 28111/3-

(4)

Skardu²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 114| D

5/1

Won his first two starts (7f/1m) on fast ground at Newmarket, where he was also third in last year's 2,000 Guineas. Several other high class efforts in Group 1 company to his name and although held in the Queen Anne last time, he is not ruled out.

Form: 13444-8

(1)

Urban Icon¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: R Hannon| OR: 109

22/1

Dual sprint winner as a juvenile who also won a Wolverhampton Listed contest in March. Overall form is inferior to most of these, however, so there's no doubt that he would a shock winner if coming home in front.

Form: 243-172

(8)

Zaaki²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Louis Steward| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 113| CD

7/1

C&D winner in Listed company last year, when he also won two Group 3s (1m½f/1m1f) on fast ground and went very close to winning this race. Produced a good effort on his recent reappearance at Newbury and a danger to all if on top of his game.

Form: 27138-3

Forecasts

Mohaather (2/1), Skardu (5/1), Lord Glitters (13/2), Zaaki (7/1), Marie's Diamond (8/1), Lord Tennyson (12/1), San Donato (14/1), Duke Of Hazzard (16/1), Urban Icon (22/1), Beat Le Bon (33/1), Bless Him (50/1)

A cracking contest where many have chances based on their best form. With the majority of the field being aged four, there is scope for improvement from some, but despite that we'll take the tried and tested Group 1 course winner LORD GLITTERS to prevail, as he loves this place and goes well fresh. Skardu, Marie's Diamond and Zaaki head the list of dangers, while the talented-but-fragile San Donato would be a major player if able to produce his best after another lengthy absence.