15:00 Newbury

Saturday 15 August 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 53.42s

(2)

Alignak²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 108

7/2

Winner of Newcastle handicap on return in June before going close in listed company at Haydock (11.8f, good). This stiffer test may help unlock further improvement and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 8/231-12

(6)

Communique¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 114| BF| C

16/1

Improved to score twice in Group 2 company last season. Went close upped to 1¾m at York on penultimate start and, though well below par at Goodwood since, he'll be dangerous if allowed a soft lead.

Form: 8-58226

(1)

Morando⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 114| C| D

3/1

Form: 84821-7

(7)

Sextant³¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Louis Steward| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 108| C

16/1

Well held when fourth in this last year and again behind Morando when comprehensively outpointed by that rival at Ascot in October. Absent since and yard saddles a stronger candidate in Alignak.

Form: 411412-

(3)

Hukum⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 97

4/1

Winner of Kempton novice on second of his 2 starts last season. Sizeable step forward when following up on return in Royal Ascot handicap (1½m, good) and well worth his place in this higher grade.

Form: 31-1

(5)

Max Vega⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 108

6/1

Capped promising 2-y-o campaign by seeing off some smart rivals in a Newmarket Group 3. Hasn't fired in 2 starts so far this season, but it's too soon to write him off and forecast rain in his favour.

Form: 211-50

(8)

Tritonic³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A King| OR: 99| C

9/2

Dual winner as a juvenile and improved when second in 1¼m Royal Ascot handicap on reappearance. Runner-up again in listed company at Hamilton since and promises to be suited by this stiffer test.

Form: 4115-22

Non-Runners

(4)

Almania²⁰

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

Morando (3/1), Alignak (7/2), Hukum (4/1), Tritonic (9/2), Max Vega (6/1), Almania (14/1), Sextant (16/1), Communique (16/1)

ALIGNAK finished clear of the rest when just touched off in a listed event at Haydock and, with further improvement anticipated over this new trip, he is expected to take this step up in class in his stride. Communique will be dangerous if allowed to dominate and Morando merits respect in his bid to go one better than in this race last year, but promising Royal Ascot winner Hukum is feared most.