15:25 Salisbury

Sunday 9 August 2020

All12:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

AJN Steelstock Sovereign Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 1m 38.32s

(2)

Accidental Agent^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 111| D

14/1

Ran much his best race this year when a close fifth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, but flattered in a slowly-run race there, and better judged on subsequent efforts, such as latest fourth of 7 to Pogo in a Listed race at Windsor.

Form: 3033-54

(3)

Beat Le Bon²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| D

14/1

Rattled up a fast-ground hat-trick last year and wasn't disgraced in a Group 2 at Goodwood in August. Needed return at Ascot last month, and not a forlorn hope having missed Goodwood's Lennox Stakes recently due to easy ground.

Form: 11156-0

(5)

Bless Him^h⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105| D

25/1

Smart form in 1m handicaps last season, winning at Yarmouth and Ascot, and best effort this year when sixth behind Prompting in Golden Mile at Goodwood last time. Has been found out in Group company before, however.

Form: 011-786

(8)

Duke Of Hazzard^b,t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: P & O Cole| OR: 114| D

11/4

Very consistent since fitted with blinkers last summer, winning twice in Group company at Goodwood, and ran to his best when second to Space Blues in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes there last time. Obvious claims.

Form: 111-032

(1)

Marie's Diamond¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 112| D

15/2

Front runner who was rather flattered when third to Circus Maximus in the Queen Anne Stakes, and has failed to repeat that form in the Summer Mile at Ascot and the Lennox Stakes since. Needs to steal a soft lead if he's to get back on top.

Form: P-31397

(7)

Motakhayyel²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 112| D

5/2

Steps out of handicap company for first time, but has been an impressive winner of the Buckingham Palace Stakes and the Bunbury Cup in his two runs this season, and will take the beating if translating that big-field form to Pattern company now.

Form: 1216-11

(4)

Regal Reality^v1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 116| D

7/1

Dual Group 3 winner who took his form to a new level when third in the Eclipse last year. Not gone on as hoped this season, but has been keeping excellent company, and may do better dropped in class/trip with a visor applied.

Form: 458-365

(6)

Positive^b1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 110| C

6/1

Solario Stakes winner last year, and not discredited in Group 1 company at Ascot/Deauville this year, albeit unplaced. More required, but drop in class and fitting of blinkers are possible catalysts for improvement.

Form: 1216-46

Forecasts

Motakhayyel (5/2), Duke Of Hazzard (11/4), Positive (6/1), Regal Reality (7/1), Marie's Diamond (15/2), Beat Le Bon (14/1), Accidental Agent (14/1), Bless Him (25/1)

Motakhayyel looks well worth his place at this level having won two of the big 7f handicaps of the summer, and he's fully effective at this trip, so is shortlisted, but preference is for DUKE OF HAZZARD, who has run many solid races at this sort of level, including over a trip on the sharp side at Goodwood last time, and deserves another big win for his consistency. Beat Le Bon missed Goodwood to wait for fast ground, and ran better than the result behind the selection in the Celebration Mile last August. He needed his return quite badly, but is capable of running well at a price.