Fitzdares Midsummer Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 1m 39.79s

(5)

Top Rank¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 113| D

6/4

Very smart horse. 18/1, respectable 5¼ lengths sixth of 11 to Palace Pier in Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm) 11 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Claims if back to his best.

Form: 316-136

(1)

Qaysar¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: R Hannon| OR: 106| D

16/1

Smart gelding. Nine wins from 32 Flat runs. Latest win at Haydock in May. 3¼ lengths last of 4 to Space Traveller in listed race (9/2) at York (7.9f, good) 15 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 461334

(3)

Bless Him^h¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Queally| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105| D

28/1

Smart gelding who's often ridden to pick up the pieces. Out of his depth in the Queen Anne last time and this probably won't be run to suit.

Form: 546329

(2)

Brentford Hope³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Cosgrave| T: R Hughes| OR: 107| D

9/2

Smart gelding. Career best when winning 6-runner handicap at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy, 11/4) 34 days ago, easily. Expect another bold showing from this progressive sort.

Form: 5331-51

(4)

Century Dream^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 112| BF| D

16/5

Very smart horse. Nine wins from 23 Flat runs. 2/1, creditable nose second of 7 to Oh This Is Us in Diomed Stakes at Epsom (8.5f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Form pick on his best efforts.

Form: 5159-92

(6)

Bounce The Blues⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: M Dwyer| T: A M Balding| OR: 107

7/2

Smart filly. 10/3, respectable ¾-length second of 7 to Axana in Chartwell Stakes at Lingfield (7f, soft) 49 days ago, arguably unlucky having met trouble. Definitely one to consider.

Form: 1132-52

Forecasts

Top Rank (6/4), Century Dream (16/5), Bounce The Blues (7/2), Brentford Hope (9/2), Qaysar (16/1), Bless Him (28/1)

BRENTFORD HOPE is still lightly raced for his age and, having taken his form to a new level in handicap company at Nottingham last month, he's fancied to dominate procedings back up in grade. Century Dream would be a tough nut to crack if he could reproduce his very best form, while Bounce The Blues isn't out of it if they go a solid pace.