16:10 York

Saturday 22 August 2020

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1016:4017:10

Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 59.48s

(2)

Acklam Express²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: N Tinkler| OR: 92| D

10/3

Confirmed debut potential when readily landing a 5f Hamilton novice last month and improved again when following up on nursery debut 18 days later. Limit hasn't been reached.

Form: 311

(1)

Ben Macdui²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 102| D

7/2

Made a winning debut in a novice at Hamilton last month, responding well to pressure and well on top at the finish. Better form when runner-up in Group 3 Molecomb at Goodwood a fortnight later.

Form: 12

(7)

Lauded²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 101

7/1

Impressive on debut at Haydock (6f) and excuses when mid-field in the Coventry Stakes next time. Back on track with an improved third in Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Form: 173

(3)

Macho Pride⁴⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Harrison Shaw| T: B Haslam| OR: 87| D

40/1

Speedily-bred colt who knew his job when making a winning start at Newcastle. Acquitted himself well when fifth in the Norfolk but brushed aside on listed class at Sandown and this is asking a lot.

Form: 156

(8)

Nomadic Empire¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80| D

18/1

Turned over at short odds at York after a promising debut there a week earlier, but made no mistake at Thirsk a fortnight ago. This is a big step up in class.

Form: 321

(6)

Politics¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| D

5/1

Really got the hang of things late when runner-up on debut at Pontefract and always in control when going one better at Sandown. Runner-up has won since and he's capable of better.

Form: 21

(5)

Blackberry²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 83| D

18/1

Bred to be precocious and supplemented her Hamilton win in a novice at Doncaster 3 weeks ago. Hard to rule out further progress and she's well worth her place at this level.

Form: 11

(9)

Mamba Wamba^p1⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 86| BF

16/1

Good second on Newcastle debut and acquitted herself well when eighth in Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. Failed to land the odds back in a novice at Thirsk and cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 283

(10)

Queen Of Rio^b1⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: Cieren Fallon| T: A Keatley| D

50/1

Won 11-runner maiden at Ripon on debut last month, cosily despite unflattering odds. Bare form is very ordinary and she could never land a blow in listed company at Newbury. Blinkers on.

Form: 16

(4)

Winter Power²³

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: S De Sousa| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91| BF| D

9/2

Built on previous promise when most impressive winner of 5f Redcar nursery, sauntering clear for 5l victory. 3-day turnaround perhaps a factor behind disappointing run at Goodwood.

Form: 3314

Forecasts

Acklam Express (10/3), Ben Macdui (7/2), Winter Power (9/2), Politics (5/1), Lauded (7/1), Mamba Wamba (16/1), Nomadic Empire (18/1), Blackberry (18/1), Macho Pride (40/1), Queen Of Rio (50/1)

WINTER POWER was clearly disappointing at Goodwood, but a quick turnaround on an idiosyncratic track were legitimate excuses and she looked a 2-y-o going places at Redcar. She's the pick at the prices, though Acklam Express is promising in his own right and a big threat, while Lauded has to be feared following a third-placed finish in Group 2 company.