Al Rayyan Stakes (Group 3) (Registered As The Aston Park Stakes)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 39.11s

(6)

Al Aasy²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 115| CD

10/11

Sea The Stars colt who improved again on return when landing John Porter Stakes over C&D by 4½l from Without A Fight. Already very smart and still low mileage, so he shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 3/5116-1

(3)

Logician²¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| BF| CD

15/8

Impressive winner of 2019 St Leger. Only twice raced since, and he suffered his first defeat when last of 4 in Cumberland Lodge Stakes at York in October. Sort to bounce back, and the one to beat.

Form: 1111/14-

(2)

Rainbow Dreamer^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 110| BF| C

66/1

Smart gelding who bagged 2m Kempton conditions event before creditable fourth of 7 to Ranch Hand at Lingfield (2m) last month. Has an awful lot on his plate here, though.

Form: 453-214

(1)

Ranch Hand⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 106| D

12/1

Smart gelding who is 2-2 on AW in 2021, landing 2m conditions event at Lingfield on latter occasion. Back down in trip now and this is much tougher, however.

Form: 4641-11

(5)

Thunderous¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 111| C

17/2

Last year's Dante winner at York who got back on track when 4¼l third of 5 to Sir Ron Priestley in Group 2 at Newmarket (12f) 14 days ago. Still has few miles on the clock, and may do better still.

Form: 11/21-73

Non-Runners

(4)

Asiaaf²⁵

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: D Menuisier J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

Al Aasy (10/11), Logician (15/8), Thunderous (17/2), Ranch Hand (12/1), Rainbow Dreamer (66/1), Asiaaf (66/1)

2019 St Leger hero LOGICIAN met with the first reverse of his career in the Cumberland Lodge last autumn in a truncated season due to illness but is strongly fancied to return in style after a 7-month break. Al Aasy rates much the biggest threat on the back of his easy John Porter win over C&D, with Thunderous appealing as the pick of the rest after showing more encouraging signs at Newmarket.