Tote Always SP Or Better Race

Off time: 16:43 | Winning time: 2m 14.71s

(2)

French Claim¹⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W J Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 100

5/6

Twice-raced winner. One win from 2 runs last year. 9/2, 2½ lengths fourth of 13 to Duke De Sessa in Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown (9f, good), never nearer. Off 175 days. Should have more to offer.

Form: 14-

(4)

Great Max¹⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: L F Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 106

16/5

Useful colt. 432/10 and visored for 1st time, 8 lengths eleventh of 13 to Modern Games in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar (8f, firm). Up in trip. First run for yard after leaving Michael Bell.

Form: 135250-

(5)

Sussex¹⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 90

10/1

Thrice-raced winner. One win from 3 runs last year. 12/1, won 13-runner maiden at Gowran (8.2f, heavy). Off 179 days. Up in trip. Stable having good spell. Has a bit to find on form, but bred to do a lot better and has to be respected.

Form: 001-

(3)

Caroline Herschel¹⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 93

11/2

One win from 2 runs last year. 7/1, 6¼ lengths twelfth of 13 to Duke De Sessa in Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown (9f, good). Off 175 days. Still open to improvement.

Form: 10-

(1)

Freedom Of Speech²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 100

12/1

Lightly-raced winner. Very good 2½ lengths third of 6 to Mother Earth in Park Express Stakes (50/1) at the Curragh (8f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Up in trip and should stay. Not discounted.

Form: 3315-3

Forecasts

French Claim (5/6), Great Max (16/5), Caroline Herschel (11/2), Sussex (10/1), Freedom Of Speech (12/1)

Hard to rule any out, and the market might tell a story, but FRENCH CLAIM ran to a useful level at Group 3 level on only his second start last October and should go close downi in grade. Sussex is an obvious danger, given his pedigree and connections, while Great Max is the pick on form but more exposed starting out for a new stable.