bet365 Mile (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 44.43s

(1)

Happy Power¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 115| D

8/1

Had an excellent campaign last season, completing hat-trick in Group 2 (7f) at Newmarket. Excuses in the Champions Sprint at Ascot on final start but has a 3 lb penalty here and probably best at 7f.

Form: 241119-

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(3)

Bless Him^h²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105| D

28/1

Smart gelding who's often ridden to pick up the pieces. Needs rivals to underperform to win at this level.

Form: 4-15463

(2)

Khuzaam²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 116| D

4/1

Progressive, low-mileage 5-y-o who made it 2 from 2 for the year in valuable event on the AW 3 weeks ago. Remains unproven on turf but is generally one to be positive about.

Form: 12/22-11

(4)

Palace Pier¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 125| BF| C| D

4/11

Top-class miler who won 2 Group 1s as a 3-y-o, namely St James's Palace at Royal Ascot and Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville. Excuses in the QEII on final start and is the clear form pick on return.

Form: 11/1113-

Forecasts

Palace Pier (4/11), Khuzaam (4/1), Happy Power (8/1), Bless Him (28/1)

PALACE PIER quickly progressed into a top-class miler last season, winning Group 1s at Royal Ascot and in France, and is taken to outclass his 3 rivals on return. Khuzaam still has to prove he's as effective on turf but is progressive and race-fit, so is taken to follow the selection home.